His handlers are one in swearing Manny Pacquiao will be in solid peak form against the bigger, younger world welterweight rival Keith Thurman.
Nothing to worry, Pacquiao loves to assure everybody, including veteran promoter Bob Arum.
Arum had cautioned Pacquiao against possible brain injury for insisting on fighting fulltime at age 40.
Pacquiao has been installed the underdog against the 30-year-old Thurman in their unifying championship fight for the WBA welterweight crown in Las Vegas on July 20.
Here at home, there’s a warm concern for Pacquiao, mainly among street fans, many of whom are eager to place a bet on the national boxing icon.
Great things are happening in the Pacquiao camp, which has moved to the Wild Card gym in Hollywood.
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, who has taken full charge, continues to swear Pacquiao is head and shoulders above the 30-year-old unbeaten Thurman.
Roach noted Thurman has visibly slowed down based on his last three fights, capped by a shaky showing against Jesusito Lopez in January, which Thurman was lucky to survive and win by majority decision.
Roach, by the way, was genuinely gladdened by Pacquiao’s powerful and fresh form. Roach would bare that he plans to place a big bet on Pacquiao.
There was nothing so far from Thurman, surprisingly timid and mum, after having slurred and insulted Pacquiao starting from the road tour for the championship in New York and Los Angeles.
Pacquiao and his entire team cannot seem to get over the vulgarity committed by Thurman when the latter said he would crucify and promptly retire Pacquiao when they clash in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao proceeded to push hard; harder for the Thurman fight, which he called the most important match of his legendary career.
There continued to flow glowing reports from Wild Card and the nearby Griffith Park where Pacquiao jogs on nonsparring days.
An amazed Freddie Roach, claiming preparations were going very smoothly, went on to proudly swear that this young, very energetic version of Pacquiao “runs the hills like a deer.”
No signs of Thurman whatsoever.
Then came a flash info from TMZ Sports early yesterday, which blared Thurman has placed a “$10K up bet on himself to finish off Pacquiao before Round 3.”
Cried Thurman: “I’m younger. I’m gonna let my hands go in ways that Broner didn’t. Pacquiao simply can’t hang his Keith’s style … violence and speed.”
Earlier, the respected boxing scholar and analyst Michael Rosenthal wrote in BoxingScene.com that Pacquiao-Thurman is not a good match-up. “Thurman can’t match Pacquiao in terms of natural talent, but he’s too athletic, too quick, and probably too big for this version of the Filipino star.”
Freddie Roach had claimed Thurman would run away in his clash against Pacquiao./ac