by Nick Giongco
LOS ANGELES – After maintaining his poise during press conferences held in the last few days in New York City and Beverly Hills, Manny Pacquiao finally opened up about the trash-talking that he got from Keith Thurman on Wednesday night (Thursday afternoon in Manila).
“I would like to teach him a lesson,” Pacquio said as he awaited boarding inside a lounge at LAX Airport for his flight back to Manila.
So determined is Pacquiao in dealing Thurman a beating on July 20 in Las Vegas that he didn’t bother to extend his stay here even for a day to rest following the tiring two-city press tour that logged a total of 18,300 miles in less than five days.
With under eight weeks remaining before the fight set at the MGM Grand, Pacquiao is already looking forward to his return to America on June 15 for the final push of the preparation at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood owned by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
The undefeated Thurman, 30, officially launched his verbal attack in New York City on Tuesday and followed it up in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, each time making fun of the eight-division world champion.
Pacquiao, 40, calmly listened each time Thurman came up to the dais to speak his mind but was rather rude during their first staredown contest in the Big Apple.
Instead of just looking Pacquiao straight in the eye, Thurman opted to also taunt and tease him.
“Keith really got under the senator’s skin,” observed Sean Gibbons, now serving as Pacquiao’s right-hand man.
