Manny Pacquiao Hands Keith Thurman His First Career Loss By Split Decision

Manny Pacquiao proved that he can still hold own in the ring with competitors much younger than him, winning the welterweight world title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday (July 20) night. The 40-year-old boxer handed 30-year-old Keith Thurman his first career loss with a split decision victory. Two of the judges gave Pacquiao a slight edge with a score of 115-112, while the third judge gave Thurman the advantage with a score of 114-113.

Thurman went into the fight confident that he would easily defeat Pacquiao, promising he would knock him out in within six rounds, and send him into retirement.

The fight didn't go as planned for Thurman, who got knocked down in the first round. He managed to recover and controlled the middle rounds. Pacquiao finished strong connecting with a devastating body blow in the tenth round that slowed Thurman in the final two rounds.

"It was fun. My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. He was strong," Pacquiao said after his victory. "Even though Thurman lost, he did his best. He's not an easy opponent. He's a good boxer, and he's strong. I was just blessed tonight."

Photo: Getty Images


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