KATING-KATI na makaharap ni Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao ang malakas at malusog na Amerikanong si Keith Thurman sa kanilang WBA unification bout sa Hulyo 20 sa Las Vegas, Nevada sa United States.
May kartadang perpektong 29 panalo, 22 sa pamamagitan ng knockouts, nagbalik sa ring si Thurman noong nakaraang Enero 26 sa Brooklyn, New York upang talunin sa manipis na 12-round majority decision si Mexican Josesito Lopez.
Unang napanoond ni Pacquiao si Thurman sa unification bout kay dating WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia ng US din noong Marso 4, 2017 sa Brooklyn, New York na napagwagihan nito sa 12-round split deciison.
“I liked the way he fought against Danny Garcia,” sabi ni Pacquiao sa Yahoo Sports. “I thought his style would match up well with mine. We are going to give the fans a great fight and an exciting night.”
“I would say Keith Thurman has looked rusty in the past,” dagdag ni Pacquiao. “I do not think that will be an issue when we fight because he has already fought once this year. I anticipate an action fight from him.”
May rekord ang tiyak na papasok sa Boxing Hall of Fame na si Pacquiao na 61-7-2 na may 39 pagwawagi sa knockouts.
-Gilbert Espeña