Two Years Ago, Pacquiao Showed Younger Gun Thurman He Wasn’t Done

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA (July 20, 2021) — As we look forward to the showdown between eight-division world champion and boxer laureate Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and unified WBC/IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., which is one month away, it seems only fitting to look back at Manny's thrilling victory over then undefeated WBA welterweight “super” champion Keith Thurman, which took place two years ago today in Las Vegas.

Manny opened the fight with a first-round knockdown of Thurman en route to a 12-round split decision victory. As Thurman accurately stated in his post-fight interview, “It was a night of blessings and lessons.”

Manny's victory over Thurman was a career highlight for boxing's longest and most successful partnership.

For 20 years, Manny has had his trainer, world-famous Freddie Roach, in his corner, literally and figuratively, winning world titles in seven different weight divisions in a career of firsts that not only defines the champion he repeatedly became, but the Filipino spirit which has been embraced by the world.

During those the past 20 years, Manny has played David to a roster of Hall of Fame Goliaths, scoring the most impressive victories of his era against the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Márquez.

Pac-Man also gloved you against Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Ricky Hatton.

In his last three fights, which took place during a 12-month period, from July 15, 2018 through July 20, 2019, Manny ran the table, winning welterweight world title fights against Lucas Matthysse, Adrien Broner, and Thurman.