Keith Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) will fight for the WBA welterweight championship on July 20 in Las Vegas, and already the WBA's super champion is claiming his win, even gushing about how he landed a superstar opponent - something he's always wanted.
Thurman may be coming off a long period of inactivity, followed by a tougher-than-expect fight against Josesito Lopez in January, but fully expects to rise to the occasion here against the Filipino legend. Before his leave of absence Thurman established himself as a great technical boxer who makes key adjustments between rounds, and he has great footwork to go along with solid hand speed.
And speaking on his opponent, Thurman says Pacquiao's proven that he's a beatable fighter and that he's just going to be added to the list of fighters who've done it already.
"For me his boxing tactics are predictable. He fights in spurts and you have to take advantage of that. You have to be respectful of his power.
"But I believe my movement, athleticism and ring knowledge will be able to present him something he's not seen in all his years of boxing."
Plagued by a litany of injuries, including bone chips in his right elbow that had to be surgically removed, Thurman was out of action for nearly two years. He got back into the ring with a hard-fought victory against Josesito Lopez in January on FOX.
Having taken up the sport when he was in grade school, the Clearwater, Florida native blossomed under the tutelage of his first trainer, Ben Getty, He became an outstanding amateur.
Though Getty has passed away, Thurman still carries those boxing and life lessons with him whenever he steps into the ring with his current longtime trainer Dan Birmingham. His power punching earned him the nickname "One Time."
"I'm extremely excited for this opportunity to get a fight that I've wanted for a long time," said Thurman. "The right circumstances have aligned for it to happen now. I'm grateful for that.
"Me and my team are looking forward to it. It's going to be an honor to be in the ring with Manny Pacquiao. It's going to be fun to go back to MGM Grand in my first pay-per-view with FOX Sports.
