Manny Pacquiao: Keith Thurman reminds me of Cotto fight

Photo by Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions

MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao is boxing’s only eight-division champion for a reason.

The Filipino legend has fought the finest that boxing has to offer no matter what division he’s in and, more often than not, he’s gotten the best of them.

Pacquiao is slated to meet WBA (Super) welterweight champion Keith Thurman in a title unification bout next month in Las Vegas.

Thurman, who is undefeated in 29 fights with 22 knockouts, presents a new challenge for Pacquiao but the hard-hitting American also reminds him of a familiar foe he faced earlier in his career.

“Keith Thurman reminds me of the Cotto fight,” Pacquiao, who holds the WBA (regular) title, told boxingscene.com, referring to Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao brutally stopped Cotto in the 12th round 10 years ago.

The 40-year-old Pacquiao really has nothing left to prove but the trash-talking Thurman, who vowed to sent Pacquiao into retirement, has lit the fire under his belly.

“I feel motivated because of what he said. We’ll see how the fight ends. I think it’s going to be exciting but we’ll see what happens in the ring,” Pacquiao said.