Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao has already started training for his upcoming fight against American boxer Keith Thurman. Over the weeks, Pacman has received his fair share of insults from his opponent, and while known for his cool and calm demeanor, Thurman appears to have gotten into Pacquiao's nerves.
In a training session with Buboy Fernandez on May 31, Pacquiao showed a renewed intensity and even asked the head trainer for one more round in their 5-round mitts session, according to a Rappler report. Details of the report revealed that Fernandez already has sore palms, but since taking over as chief trainer for Pacquiao's fight with Lucas Matthysse last year, Fernandez seems to be so used to Pacquiao's request.
Fernandez boasted off Pacquiao's renewed fury and intensity as the eight-division world champion finished his first week of training at Elorde Gym near Mall of Asia for his World Boxing Association welterweight title duel with unbeaten American Keith Thurman (29-0, 22 knockouts) on Saturday, July 20 (Sunday, July 21, Philippine time) at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Manny rarely badmouths an opponent," said Fernandez in Filipino, "but he refers to Thurman as "hambog (braggart) and mayabang (arrogant)" because of the personal insults the 147-pound super champion hurled against him during the New York and Las Vegas press tour last week.
Fernandez specifically refers to Thurman's jabs of crucifying Pacquiao and making him disappear from the ring, and the one where Thurman said he will send Manny back to the Senate. These were the ones that angered Pacquiao, the chief trainer said.
"The last time I saw him act this way was in (Erik) Morales 3," said Fernandez. The 2006 fight saw Pacquiao knock down the Mexican great 3 times in the 3rd round en route to stoppage.
Fernandez believes that the fight will end quite simlarly. If Pacquiao finds the opening, Fernandez said he won't dissuade him from boring through Thurman's defenses.
"Kung gusto niyang sagasaan, sagasaan niya. Hindi ko pipigilan," he said. "Gagawin natin lahat basta ingat lang."
(If he wants to run him over, then I'll let him do it. We'll do everything, but with caution.)
Needless to say, a boxing title fight involving a boxing icon like Pacquiao and young and thirsty for redemption Thurman is truly an exciting match. The bout is for the WBA Welterweight belt and is set to take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 20, 2019.
