ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – JULY 10: Keith Thurman works out for members of the media ahead of his fight against Manny Pacquiao on July 20th at St Pete Boxing Club on July 10, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP
HOLLYWOOD—Keith Thurman is anticipating a heedless performance from Manny Pacquiao when they go toe-to-toe in their welterweight world title fight on Saturday at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
And if that happens, expect Thurman to pounce on it.
“We know Manny Pacquiao is not a technical fighter. We know that he’s gonna make mistakes in the ring, we believe that we have the better boxing IQ and that we’re gonna be able to expose certain things round by round throughout the fight,” Thurman said in an interview on Inside PBC Boxing.
Exuding confidence, Thurman believes his time has come to make his own legacy by sending Pacquiao into retirement with a resounding victory.
“It’s a big fight, it’s a big stage. For me, it’s a dream come true. I’ve been waiting for this moment and for this opportunity for my whole life and the time is now. I’m gonna grab it,” said Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs), the WBA (Super) welterweight champion.
“I’ve always wanted to become a legend in the sport. I have an opp right now to create my own legacy by defeating Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao and I’m truly looking forward to it.”