by Nick Giongco
A team of experts is working tirelessly at St. Pete Boxing Club in Florida to come up with a fighter they believe will send Manny Pacquiao into retirement on July 20 in Las Vegas.
Lead trainer Dan Birmingham is joining hands with topnotch conditioning coaches Yo Murphy, Kimberly Doehnert, Chris Getty and Eric Wilson in helping Keith Thurman turn into a beast when he battles Pacquiao before a huge crowd at the MGM Grand next month.
Birmingham, who have been Thurman’s trainer ever since, believes “when the fight is over Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman’s hands will be raised. Keith is going to win this fight and win it in fine fashion.”
Thurman acknowledges Birmingham’s contribution, stressing that his longtime trainer is direct-to-the-point.
“He’s a man of few words but his actions and words that he picks are always right on point. He sees what is going on even when I can’t or don’t see it. He isn’t hype. He is honest. He is giving me technique, criticism and whether or not we won the round; I know I can trust him,” said the 30-year-old Thurman, who has a record of 29-0 with 22 KOs.
Birmingham has noticed a lot of good things since they began camp for the 40-year-old Pacquiao, who sports a 61-7-2 slate with 39 KOs.
“He has a renewed vigor – more energy – and he’s anxious to fight and anxious to train,” said Birmingham, adding that “his power, ferociousness and tenacity will be a problem for Manny.”
Noticeably present inside the camp are sparring partners who are said to be tougher than the Filipino eight-division champion.
“We’ve mixed up sparring with some guys who emulate Manny but are tougher, stronger fighters who can take a punch. You’ve got to be tough to box with Keith,” added Birmingham.
Don’t be surprised if Thurman ends up looking like a fire-breathing creature on fight night.
