ni Louis Pangilinan
Isang 40-anyos kontra 30-anyos.
Ito'y laban ng boksingerong Pinoy na aktibo simula pa taong 1995, habang ang isa'y kasasampa pa lang sa unang baitang.
Beterano sa kanyang makasaysayang 70 laban versus sa kaupakan na halos kalahati lang ng bilang.
Para sa mga handler ni Pacquiao na humutok sa kanya noon pa man, nasa bagito ang lahat ng mga posibleng disbentahe pagdating ng aktuwal na umbagan.
At ang lahat ng ito'y patungkol kay American undefeated Keith Thurman.
“If you look at his last few fights, he’s really faded in each one of them. And I do feel like he possibly has an injury that has not healed,” sambi ni trainer, Freddie Roach sa Boxing Scene.
“He usually relies on that big overhand right and lately he hasn’t had any success with it. He sets it up with a pawing jab and then goes with the big overhand right and his timing is just way off right now, especially in the last three fights. You look at him in his earlier career and he was knocking guys out with that shot. The last three fights he’s not knocking out anybody with nothing.”
Makakaengkuwentro ni Thurman ang boxing’s multi-generational dynamic duo sa July 20 sa Las Vegas, na ang “One Time’s” WBA welterweight title belt ay nakataya sa Showtime pay-per-view show sa MGM Grand.
Pang-apat na depensa na ito ni Thurman sa titulong suot niya buhat nang umeskapo nang si Floyd Mayweather Jr. nung 2015, at sa malaking entablado na kanyang isinisigaw mula nang unang umakyat sa top 10 ilang taon ang nakaraan.
“I will not really know until I am in the ring with him, but I believe I have the better speed and footwork. I certainly have better experience against better opponents,” sambit ni Pacquiao sa Boxing Scene. “Keith Thurman is going to be surprised by what he sees from me. I have heard what he has said. The more he trash talks the more his insecurities show. I know he senses what is coming his way.” ( Louis Pangilinan)
