Keith Thurman belittles Manny Pacquiao’s technical skills, defense

Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman face off after the final press conference on Wednesday at MGM Grand. Photo by Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions

LAS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao is many things inside the ring—relentless, swift and devastating.

For Keith Thurman, however, one vital aspect of boxing in which he thinks Pacquiao is not good at is defense.

“One thing that I’m not a big fan of is Manny Pacquiao’s defense. I think his offense is his defense. I don’t think he really has defense. He’s not technical,” Thurman told reporters Wednesday during the final press conference for their welterweight world title fight on Saturday at MGM Grand here.

Thurman also said there’s nothing that the eight-division champion can do that will surprise him come fight night.

“Manny Pacquiao is not gonna be throwing from angles I’ve never seen. He might throw awkward combinations, he might fight in spurts, I’ve been in the ring with fighters with similar styles.”

The 30-year-old Thurman, who holds the WBA (Super) title, is determined not only to beat Pacquiao but more importantly, pull off the feat in fabulous form.

“Saturday night is just gonna be one hell of a night and you know, I’ve been saying it over and over again that don’t be surprised if Manny Pacquiao goes ‘night night.'”