Thurman not strong enough, says Fortune

Keith Thurman speaks during a news conference for an upcoming fight in New York. AP FILE PHOTO

Justin Fortune is predicting an “early evening” for Keith Thurman on July 20 when he goes up against Manny Pacquiao for all versions of the WBA welterweight championship.

But that’s if the unbeaten 30-year-old goes full-on mano-a-mano against boxing’s only eight-division champion.

“He’s (Thurman) not strong enough or quick enough to stop Manny; he won’t go toe-to-toe with Manny because Pacquiao is too fast and too strong,” Fortune told the Inquirer. “If he does, then it’s going to be an early evening.”

Instead, Fortune thinks Thurman’s camp, headed by chief trainer Dan Birmingham, “is going to set up traps.”

“Oh, he (Thurman) can punch, I don’t know if he can take a punch, but he’s a good boxer. He’s a good counter-puncher,” added Pacquiao’s conditioning coach. “His trainer, Dan, knows southpaws. So that makes Keith dangerous for sure.”

Fortune said they will work out a game plan in anticipation of Thurman’s traps.

“Keith can box, so we have to find him,” Fortune said.

The current WBA welterweight regular champion, Pacquiao will fight for the 70th time, hoping to put the fitting ending to his phenomenal career.