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Pacman vs Thurman: Filipino boxer captures WBA crown

Pacquiao, 40, floored Thurman, 30, in the first round



Pacquiao, 40, floored Thurman, 30, in the first round and never eased up to bring a sell-out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to its feet.
Image Credit: Youtube / Screengrab

Las Vegas: Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao rolled back the years with a vintage display to defeat reigning WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman (29-0, 22 knockouts) by split decision in a thrilling 12-round battle on Saturday.

Pacquiao, 40, floored Thurman, 30, in the first round and never eased up to bring a sell-out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to its feet.

Manny Pacquiao throws a left at Keith Thurman in the 8th Round of the WBA welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 20, 2019.
Image Credit: AFP

Two judges scored it 115-112 in favour of Pacquiao with the third scoring it 114-113 in favour of Thurman.

Win by split decision

Fans in the Philippines on Sunday roared their approval and rose to their feet imitating the punches of Manny Pacquiao as they declared that their idol was still a boxing force at the age of 40 with his stunning victory over American Keith Thurman.

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Manny Pacquiao caught Keith Thurman with a right hook in the fifth round that left Thurman bloodied.
Image Credit: Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions

Filipinos from street vendors to lawmakers went wild, pumping their fists in the air during the first round of the welterweight fight as Pacquiao floored the WBA champion 10 years his junior, and went on to win by split decision.

Keith Thurman hits Manny Pacquaio in the 12th round of their WBA super world welterweight fight at Grand Garden Arena on July 20, 2019.
Image Credit: AFP

Despite Thurman's threat to send Pacquiao into retirement in the Las Vegas showdown, fans of the eight-division world champion were thrilled to see him eat his words as they packed into gyms, military camps and movie theatres all over the country to watch the fight.

Wow, wow, wow

"It was wow, wow, wow! He is amazing. He showed himself a true Filipino, a hero," 51-year-old Raquel Sanders told AFP after watching the bout in a Manila sports complex.

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The excitement also lit up the online world with fans in the social media-obsessed nation using the hashtag #StillA40rce.

"Senator Pacquiao proved that age is just a number and (he) still can make another legend," said Twitter user @rinrin_irene.

Pacquiao is considered a national hero by many as his athletic feats have put the Philippines on the boxing map.

Pacquiao, 40, floored Thurman, 30, in the first round and never eased up to bring a sell-out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to its feet.
Image Credit: Screengrab
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His rags-to-riches rise from high school dropout to millionaire champion is a source of inspiration in a nation mired in poverty.

In Pacquiao's heyday, authorities said his fights stopped traffic and crime.

But Pacquiao, also an elected senator, stirred controversy when he entered politics as he endorsed the death penalty and issued gay slurs in 2016 for which he apologised for.

President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman hailed his ally's victory.

"Our pound-for-pound King did not show any signs of intimidation as he embodied what a Filipino spirit is all about - a fighter," Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

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Manny Pacquiao (left) and Keith Thurman pose during a news conference in Las Vegas, ahead of their WBA super welterweight title fight.
Image Credit: AP

Some Pacquiao fans said while their idol had proven his mettle, he showed signs of aging.

"He can still fight but not a long bout because he gets tired. A younger fighter would have more endurance than an older fighter," said Willieboy Ramos, 50.

Pacquiao, who reversed a 2016 decision to retire, repeatedly says boxing is his passion and he still feels young.

Philippine boxing chief Ed Picson said only Pacquiao could decide on his future.

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"His place in world boxing as a legend is secure ... He has nothing more to prove," said Picson, secretary general of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines.

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