LAS VEGAS – Keith Thurman was all praises for his conqueror Manny Pacquiao just hours after being dealt his first defeat in 30 fights on Saturday in their sizzling shootout at the MGM Grand.
Hated for his non-stop trash-talking ways since the fight was formally announced more than two months ago, Thurman sounded different during the post-fight press conference.
“He has a lot left. He’s been in too many wars and he knows what to do,” said Thurman, who suffered a first-round knockdown, a huge scare in the fifth and 10th rounds en route to a split decision loss before 14,365 fans.
“He was fast, strong and had those quick short steps and he came well-prepared,” added Thurman.
The first-round knockdown played pivotal in the scorecards of the three judges, who ruled the fight a split decision.
Thurman swore that he was caught off-guard but nevertheless admitted that Pacquiao lived up to his legendary status and even thanked the Filipino senator for the golden opportunity.
Pacquiao had Thurman again in trouble late in the fifth after unleashing a flurry of power punches to the head and body.
Thurman would then display extraordinary recuperative powers to control the next few rounds before being rocked again with a wicked body shot that almost sent him crumpling to the deck.
Despite the sorry loss, Thurman feels he deserve a rematch with Pacquiao, who likewise told the media of his rival’s skills and will to win. “I want a rematch,” said Thurman.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, didn’t say if he would agree to a second meeting, adding that he will take a break and return to the ring next year.
But Pacquiao promised to be at ringside when two welter titlists – Errol Spence of the International Boxing Federation and Shawn Porter of the World Boxing Council – clash on Sept. 28.
As for Thurman, even Pacquiao believes that the Florida native will hit paydirt someday, something the American puncher insists will happen. “I learned lot and I am not going nowhere and I’ll be back,” he added.
