Manny Pacquiao, reacts after knocking down Keith Thurman in the first round during a welterweight title fight Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao’s split decision victory over a tough Keith Thurman for the WBA super world welterweight title saw him absorb more punches than he landed.
According to the punch stats released by Compubox, the Filipino boxing champion connected on fewer punches than Thurman, 210-195, but it was still the Pacquiao, showing no signs of slowing down at 40, who was the more effective of the two and landed the harder hits.
Pacquiao knocked Thurman down with a right hook in the first round proving that he still holds power despite using his non-dominant hand.
The Filipino, who came out the busier fighter with 57 thrown per round compared to Thurman’s 48, also delivered a liver blow in the 10th that nearly prompted referee Kenny Bayless to stop the fight.
Thurman, though, backed up all his tough talk heading into the fight and gave Pacquiao all he could handle, making history with his landed power punches.
Compubox said that Thurman’s 192 is the most punches landed of any of Pacquiao’s opponents in the past 43 fights tracked by organization.
Pacquiao, a known power puncher, was able to utilize his jab effectively despite a two-inch reach disadvantage, 67 inches to Thurman’s 69, with an 82-18 advantage.