The time for talking is about to be over, as Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman will finally put on the gloves and face each other in the ring this coming Saturday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the WBA super welterweight title. Will Pacquiao enjoy another success at this point of his illustrious career? Or will Thurman back all his trash-talking up and beat the eight-division champion?
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Betting Preview for the WBA Super Welterweight Title Fight Between Manny Pacquiao vs Keith Thurman on July 20 2019
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
When: Saturday, June 20, 2019
Line: Manny Pacquiao (-155) vs. Keith Thurman (+125) – view all Boxing lines
Betting on Manny Pacquiao (-155)
Total fights: 68
Wins: 61
Wins by KO: 39
Losses: 7
Draws: 2
At 40 years of age, what is there left to prove for Pacquiao? In all honesty, there is nothing else for him in that area, but the Filipino legend still feels as though there’s enough juice in his legs and pop in his hands to just step away from the sport for good. If that’s indeed the case, then he’s offered two very compelling examples to that. After a shocking “loss” to Jeff Horn in 2017, the future Hall of Famer bounced back by taking down Lucas Matthysse in Malaysia in 2018 via technical knockout before outpointing Adrien Broner in a unanimous decision victory at MGM Grand back in January. In both those fights, Pacquiao looked every bit the superior fighter despite being the much older fighter. Thurman is 10 years the junior of Pacquiao, and while the Philippine senator isn’t as aggressive as he used to be in the ring, he’s still fast with his hands and throws combinations quicker than his opponents can react. Pacquiao is the last man to be intimidated by Thurman’s height and reach advantages, as the Pacman has defeated bigger legends, literally and figuratively, in the past.
Betting on Keith Thurman (+125)
Total fights: 29
Wins: 29
Wins by KO: 22
Losses: 0
Draws: 0
One thing about Thurman is that he’s doing a fantastic job of attracting attention to his fight with Pacquiao by running his mouth. Thurman has relentlessly mocked Pacquiao since the fight has been announced. He’s even said that he bet on himself knocking Pacquiao in either the first or second round. That’s quite the confidence Thurman has in himself, but anyone that’s going to face a fighter of Pacquiao’s caliber definitely needs plenty of that. Thurman has yet to suffer a loss in his career, but he had a close call in his last fight, escaping with a majority decision win over Josesito Lopez. Thurman has 22 wins via knockouts, but the last one came in five years ago against Jesus Soto Karass. He’ll have to pick his spots against Pacquiao and capitalize on his youth and size advantage over the fighting legislator. Thurman is three inches taller than Pacquiao and has a two-inch reach edge.
Writer’s Prediction
Pac wins by split decision.
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