- Check the latest odds for Saturday night's huge clash at the MGM Grand
- Post reporters give their verdicts on who they think will have their hand raised
After what seems like a month of trash talk " well, from Keith Thurman, mostly " we are finally set for Manny Pacquiao's big clash with the unbeaten American this weekend.
The Filipino icon goes against "One Time" at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on July 20, challenging for the WBA super welterweight belt.
The 30-year-old Thurman (29-0 with 22 KOs, one no contest) has the edge when it comes to youth but Pacquiao has the experience.
Saturday night (US time) will be the 40-year-old fighting senator's 71st fight, with 61 wins (39 by knockout), seven losses and two draws.
Pacquiao began his Los Angeles training camp as the betting underdog for the first time since his blockbuster fight against Floyd Mayweather in 2015.
But, with money piling in for the eight-time division world champion, he eventually became the new favourite. Here are the odds as of Wednesday, and you can read the Post's reporters' predictions below:
Manny Pacquiao to win: 1.91
Keith Thurman to win: 2.0
Draw: 21-1
PREDICTION " Unus Alladin: Having followed Pacquiao for more than 10 years, I can safely say his training camp has been one of the toughest and happiest in years. Look at any of his training videos on YouTube and you see an extremely fit athlete at 40 years old. Thousands have attended his workouts and the Filipino seems to enjoy soaking up the crowd's energy. Pacquiao has been motivated for this fight from the start and is ready to deliver another impressive performance.
The Filipino icon's last fight against Adrien Broner in January was classy. He proved he could easily put away a younger fighter. Pacquiao will be a better fighter than six months ago. Thurman had been inactive for 22 months until he narrowly defeated Josesito Lopez after surviving a near knockout in the seventh round in January. Having just two fights in a space of 28 months is not ideal, especially against a still dangerous fighter such as Pacquiao. The American has been struggling with an elbow injury and other issues and unless he has improved in leaps and bounds during the past six months, I can't see him winning. Pacquiao's hand speed and footwork will prove too much for "One Time".
VERDICT: Pacquiao by decision
PREDICTION " Paul Ryding: If Manny Pacquiao can overcome Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on Saturday night, it will go down as one of his greatest achievements in the sport. At 40 years old, time is not on the Filipino icon's side and Thurman, 10 years his junior, is in the mood to make a big statement this weekend after a stop-start period in his career.
I can't see Pacquiao's experience and ring craft, his best weapon against the unbeaten Thurman, being enough to give him the W on Saturday. I predict Thurman's power will gradually slow Pacquiao up before a late knockout. Pacquiao's best chance is if he can make it to the judges' scorecard and even then, I think he will have taken a lot of punishment in getting there.
VERDICT: Thurman by KO
PREDICTION " Nick Atkin: Keith Thurman has talked a Hall of Fame level of trash and it's been fun to see him embrace his moment in the spotlight. It seems to have got Manny Pacquiao more fired up than we've seen in a decade. Maybe that plays into Thurman's hands " he could be goading Pacquiao into making mistakes by getting too emotional. Pacquiao has quietly gone about his business in an intense training camp and his team say he is "p***** off". Manny might just be about to roll back the years. As Roach said, it's gonna be "One Time" vs "All Time" in that ring. Pacquiao is not intimidated by anybody and seems laser focused.
Despite his destruction of Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur last year, I can't see a spectacular Pacquiao KO of old. But I can see him wearing down a ring rusty Thurman and getting a stoppage in the late rounds with an accumulative onslaught.
VERDICT: Pacquiao by TKO
Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
