by Nick Giongco
Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman get to size each other up in person when they embark on a whirlwind, two-city press tour that kicks off in New York early next week.
Before they face the media on Tuesday afternoon in the Big Apple, Pacquiao and Thurman are likely to run into each other on Monday during a commercial photo and audio shoot.
On Tuesday, Pacquiao and Thurman, who are booked to fight in a welterweight bout that will unify the World Boxing Association (WBA) 147-lb titles on July 20 in Las Vegas, will be presented formally to the media with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions organizing the affair.
Thurman is recognized as the WBA’s super champion in the talent-laden division while Pacquiao is the regular champion.
After the NYC presser, the parties of Pacquiao and Thurman will travel West for another round of media gigs with Los Angeles as the second and final leg of the tour.
A press conference takes place on Wednesday afternoon before Pacquiao and his party head back to Manila via Philippine Airlines, according to Sean Gibbons, the right-hand man of Pacquiao.
On June 27, Pacquiao is expected to commence his training camp for the unbeaten Thurman.
