FILE — Manny Pacquiao, right, and Keith Thurman exchange punches in the fifth round during a welterweight title fight Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
MANILA, Philippines — Keith Thurman is picking Errol Spence to win over Manny Pacquiao in their much-awaited August 21 showdown in Las Vegas.
The former welterweight champion, who lost his WBA (Super) title to Pacquiao in July 2019, thinks Spence’s size and youth coupled with his elite skill will be the difference in the fight.
“I do respect Pacquiao but I still do favor Spence,” Thurman told FightHype.com.
“Size, youth and then ultimately, when was the last time we saw Pacquiao against a world class southpaw?”
Thurman, though, isn’t counting the 42-year-old Pacquiao out as well.
“But I’m not saying Pacquiao is out of it,” Thurman said. “He’s a legend for a reason.”
“His number one attribute is that speed and that power and coming in, that awkward little angles with that burst of energy, you know, I do believe that’s something that Errol hasn’t seen in his career.”
Pacquiao showed just that against Thurman on his way to a split decision win.
“I hope he comes with all the gusto that he did in the performance against me because that’s what I tip his hat off to. He fought a good fight, he fought a smart fight and he ended up edging me out. Will he be able to do that against Spence? I don’t know,” Thurman said.