Freddie Roach gives edge to Manny Pacquiao’s experience over Keith Thurman’s youth

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach trains with Manny Pacquiao. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

LAS VEGAS—With age comes experience, that’s why Freddie Roach is convinced Manny Pacquiao will beat much younger Keith Thurman in their welterweight title showdown on Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena here.

Thurman is unbeaten at 29-0 with 22 knockouts but Pacquiao has been in the ring with far more superior competition, having faced the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley in the welterweight division alone.

“Thurman may be ten years younger but Manny still has extraordinary talent and an era’s worth of experience against Hall of Fame opposition,” said the Hall of Fame trainer.

.@MannyPacquiao on the double end bag earlier in his last day at Wild Card. He arrived in Las Vegas Monday night after a five-hour ride from Los Angeles. | @MarkGiongcoINQ #PacquiaoThurman

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Roach added that while older fighters tend to be at a disadvantage against younger opponents, Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) is a rare exception.

“The betting action on this fight reflects that. I have done a lot of interviews. All the media seem to be picking Thurman to win,” he said. “They consider this a battle between Generation X and Generation Geritol.”

“But we’re talking about Manny Pacquiao. He pushed himself to the limit in this training camp. Youth will be served a big slice of humble pie on Saturday night.”