The lead trainer of Manny Pacquiao isn’t intimidated by Keith Thurman’s unbeaten record.
In fact, Buboy Fernandez sees Thurman as a flawed fighter, whose mistakes his childhood friend is sure to exploit when they battle for the World Boxing Association welterweight supremacy on July 20 in Las Vegas.
A day after the fight was formally announced by Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), Fernandez immediately took out his smartphone and went online.
Fernandez had seen Thurman against Shawn Porter, Pacquiao’s former sparmate on video, and getting a another look at Thurman only convinced him that Pacquiao has more than what it takes to handle him.
“Kitang-kita kung saan nanggagaling and suntok ni Thurman (You can see Thurman’s punches),” said Fernandez on Monday from Polangqui, Albay, where he is running for the post of vice-mayor.
Thurman, taller by two inches at 5-7 1/2 and who packs a 29-0 with 22 KOs record, is beatable.
Make that, very beatable, according to Fernandez, who is expected to take the lead role in Pacquiao’s corner for the third straight time with Freddie Roach assuming the job of a training assistant and consultant.
