Manny Pacquiao announces upcoming fight with undefeated Keith Thurman

“‪The summer just got a little hotter!‬” (Photo: @mannypacquiao/Instagram)

Forty-year-old Filipino world champion boxer Emmanuel “Pacman” Pacquiao has just announced that he is willing to risk his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight belt to fight undefeated American boxer Keith “One Time” Thurman in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 20.

Boxing Insider Mike Coppinger first hinted at the news last May 12, sharing to his almost 17,000 followers on Twitter, “The welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman has been finalized for July 20 in Las Vegas on FOX PPV and will be formally announced tonight on the broadcast of Jarrett Hurd-Julian Williams.” Athlete-turned-Senator Pacquiao then confirmed the news, sharing a graphic on his Instagram account captioned, “The summer just got a little hotter!

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Thurman hails from Florida and is 10 years younger than Pacquiao, considered a WBA super-welterweight title holder after having an undefeated resume of 22KOs in 29 fights. He was inactive for two years due to an elbow surgery but made his comeback earlier in the year after conquering Josesito Lopez. Right after that victory, Thurman did not shy away from expressing his desire in fighting “legend” Pacquiao, stating, “Manny Pacquiao is not going to be here for the years to come. Later this year if that fight presents itself, I would definitely be open for negotiations and I would love an opportunity to fight a legend.”

He added, “He’s not the young Manny Pacquiao that he once was but he still is a great, world-class fighter. If we get that fight, we’d be happy to do it for ourselves and the fans.”

Starting his career in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Pacquiao is a household name in Philippine sports, carrying a record of 61 wins (39 KOs), seven losses, and four draws. His last victory was in January against American Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand in Vegas. Prior to that, he obtained the 147-lbs title belt in a seven-round match against Lucas Matthysse from Argentina.