Posted on 07/21/2019 6:18:52 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao, the all-time boxing legend, aimed to prove he could still take care of business against an elite opponent at age 40.
He did just that, adding yet another enormous victory to his storied, 24-year career by defeating Keith Thurman, a man 10 years his junior, by split decision to take his undefeated record and welterweight world title before 14,356 on Saturday night at the raucous MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Pacquiao, who knocked down Thurman in the first round, won 115-112 on the scorecards from judges Dave Moretti and Tim Cheatham, while judge Glenn Feldman had it 114-113 for Thurman. ESPN also had it for Pacquiao, 117-110.
"It was fun. My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. He was strong," Pacquiao said. "Even though Thurman lost, he did his best. He's not an easy opponent. He's a good boxer, and he's strong. I was just blessed tonight."
Pacquiao first arrived from the Philippines to fight in the United States as a relative unknown former flyweight titleholder and, in this same arena, knocked out Lehlo Ledwaba in the sixth round in a big upset to win a junior featherweight world title as a late replacement on an Oscar De La Hoya undercard in 2001. Eighteen years later and 25 pounds heavier, Pacquiao continued to thrill fans in an arena that has become something of a second home to him, as he took down Thurman in an action-packed fight.
Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs), 30, of Clearwater, Florida, who was making his sixth defense against the secondary titleholder Pacquiao, had promised to send Pacquiao into retirement. Thurman, who predicted he would knock Pacquiao out inside of six rounds, said he would make PacMan "disappear."
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
Legendary descriptions are earned.
Only 5 men have won boxing titles above age 40, Pacquiao now joins their ranks as the sixth. Now, he has nothing more to prove. With more than 8 titles in different weight groups to your name, retire before you sustain long term damage to your head (like Muhammad Ali).
Here is the list:
Bernard Hopkins Age 49 4 days
George Foreman Age 45 299 days
Thulani Malinga Age 42 8 days
Cornelius Bundrage Age 41 166 days
Bob Fitzimmons Age 40 182 days
Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao Age 40 215 Days
Only 5 men have won boxing titles above age 40, Pacquiao now joins their ranks as the sixth. Now, he has nothing more to prove. With more than 8 titles in different weight groups to your name, retire before you sustain long term damage to your head (like Muhammad Ali).
Here is the list:
Bernard Hopkins Age 49 4 days
George Foreman Age 45 299 days
Thulani Malinga Age 42 8 days
Cornelius Bundrage Age 41 166 days
Bob Fitzimmons Age 40 182 days
Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao Age 40 215 Days
That should be Senator Pacquiao.....
The guy is truly a legend and a great humanitarian for his home country the Philippines....
I’ve always said I’m not afraid to let my 0 go, if you can beat me — beat me. @MannyPacquiao beat me tonight. Hats off to the Senator on a great performance. #OneTime #PacThurman
What a great sportsman that Thurman is! I just wish every athlete were like this...
In the lighter weight classes, those guys often get hit hundreds of times in the head in just one fight.
That kind of punishment is cumulative and is going to have terrible medical consequences in the near future.
Thurman did an incredible amount of trash talking before the fight, but I chalk that up to hyping the fight in order to maximize the box office.
After the fight he didn’t whine about how he was robbed of the decision and was genuinely humble and sincere in his assessment of Manny’s greatness as a boxer.
Manny also showed a lot of class regarding Thurman post fight.
I’m always impressed how at the end of a boxing match after 2 guys spent the entire bout trying to beat the crap out of each other hug it out and exchange pleasantries.
I concur. Manny has the heart of a true lion, but his future health should be a priority.
Yep, it is refreshing for sure.
Boxing has deteriorated to the point where it is a joke.
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