LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao beat Keith Thurman via a split decision to snatch the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight belt at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).
The 40-year old Pacquio knocked down Thurman with a quick four-punch combination punctuated by a right hook with 26 seconds left in the first round and asserted dominance from there en route to dethroning the erstwhile unbeaten American fighter.
Pacquiao got the nods of Dave Moretti and Tim Cheatham, who both scored 115-112, while Glenn Feldman controversially saw it 114-113 in favor of Thurman. Pacquiao still had nothing but good words for the brash Thurman, who was talking trash prior to the title bout. \”He\’s not an easy opponent. He\’s a good fighter,\” said the pride of Saranggani.
\”He did his best and I did my best to make the people happy.\”
The lone eight-division world champion in boxing history improved his decorated record to 62 wins (39 knockouts) against seven losses and two draws while sending the 30-year old Thurman crashing to his first defeat in 31 matches. After losing in his fourth title defense, Thurman (29-1 win loss) asked for a rematch. \”He\’s a truly great, legendary boxer. My conditioning and output was just behind him. I\’m just hoping for a rematch,\” said the Clearwater, Florida native.
But Thurman might need to wait as Pacquiao said he is mulling a break after facing 25 world champions and having three fights a year since 2008.
\”My next fight is probably next year. I want to focus on my senate duties.,\” said Manny
A new Pinoy boxer rising? This might be the case if we’re talking about the social media influencers-turned-boxers.
Tiktoker Salt Papi was the talk of the town after his vicious knockout against Youtube sensation Josh Brueckner, a taller, bigger guy.
The Filipino-British boxer landed a perfect right hand right to the face of Brueckner in just the first round.
They served as an undercard of KSI vs. Faze Temperr.
Pro boxer and rising star Ryan Garcia was impressed by Salt Papi’s victory convincing him that the latter should next face Jake Paul.
They are both undefeated in boxing and all of their wins are via knockout.
After the victory, Salt Papi posted a video clip on his Instagram showing a comparison of his knockout to Manny Pacquiao’s iconic KO hit to Ricky Hatton.
The post received lots of comments including boxing’s only eight-division world champion himself.
Pacquiao wrote on the comment “Pwede Na” in which Salt Papi replied with a “salamat po.”
In a shocking announcement, Jon Jones confirmed that he is upping his division and will fight Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight world title.
The development was leaked after T-Mobile Arena displayed an ad about the fight that was later on confirmed by the former pound-for-pound UFC fighter.
“Day one of four, just a few weeks out from my first heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane,” said Jones.
The mega-bout is expected to take place on UFC 285. Jones has been out of the Octagon for almost three years now.
“Absolutely, I’d love to have Henry [Cejudo] coaching me for this Ciryl Gane fight. Hopefully our schedules can align and we can get on the same page,” said Jones.
“Bones” Jones at the age of 35 has a record of 26 wins, one loss, zero draw, and one no contest.
While Gane has 11 wins, one loss and zero draw.
The date of the collision has yet to be announced as of writing.
Boxing’s only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is set to continue putting on the gloves as he surprisingly signed under Japan’s Rizin Fighting Federation.
The MMA promotion made it known through their social media with details that the former Philippine senator will box this year against a Japanese fighter.
He recently came back to the sport with an exhibition bout against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo.
“I have agreed with Rizin to fight next year. That date will soon be announced, and also my opponent that Rizin will choose, and I’m open and excited to fight a Japanese fighter,” Pacquiao said during his signing with Rizin.