Thurman underestimated Pacman–Broner

Keith Thurman takes a drink between rounds against Manny Pacquiao during a welterweight title fight Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS—Adrien Broner stepped into the media tent of MGM Grand after Manny Pacquiao had scored a split decision of Keith Thurman, saying how much he was impressed by the Filipino megastar—and how badly the bloodied Thurman underestimated one of boxing’s all-time greats.

But before his analysis, Broner pointed out that he performed way better than Thurman when he faced Pacquiao in January.

“Of course, I came out looking like this,” said Broner, taking off his sunglasses and showing an unblemished face, which, he said, was the same when he came out after his bout with Pacquiao.

Broner then turned serious and said he felt Thurman underestimated the 40-year-old boxing senator.

He also felt Pacquiao carried himself well in the split decision win that was witnessed by more than 14,000 people inside MGM Grand Arena.

“It’s because Pacquiao’s performance against me wasn’t too much of a good performance,” Broner said.

Welterweight top dogs Errol Spence Jr. and Shawn Porter, who worked the TV panel for the fight, have a scheduled championship on Sept. 28 in Los Angeles, with the winner possibly taking on Pacquiao next.

When asked if Pacquiao stands a chance against Spence Jr., who is much taller and powerful than Thurman, Broner quipped: “Hell, no!”

Broner got a lot of flak after he declared he won the fight against Pacquiao, who scored an easy unanimous decision win.