Keith Thurman vs Manny Pacquiao Odds & Picks
By John Dillon in Boxing
Updated: April 14, 2020 at 10:02 am EDTPublished:
- Iconic veteran heads into 71st fight aged 40
- WBA Welterweight Champion is 11 years younger
- Filipino seeks 13th major world title
Manny Pacquiao seeks to embellish his extra-ordinary boxing career by winning a 13th major world title against Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 20, 2019.
Pacquiao is aged 40 and will be having his 71st professional fight when he challenges for the WBA “Super” Welterweight world title held by Thurman – who is unbeaten and 11 years his junior.
The oddsmakers believe there will be a romantic late chapter added to Filipino Pacquiao’s career, listing him as the favorite at -138 with Thurman at + 118.
Thurman vs Pacquiao Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Keith Thurman | +118 |
| Manny Pacquiao | -138 |
*Odds taken 7/16/19
Pacquiao is the only eight-division champion in boxing history and is one of the sport’s most iconic figures
Big Punching Champion
Thurman, 29 and from Florida, is renowned as one of the hardest punchers in the division but endured an injury lay-off between March 2017 and January 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx7P5YIKbWw
He has held the WBA title since 2015 and has made four successful defenses.
The American has also held the WBC title but was forced to vacate it during his injury break.
The Filipino idol says he has rediscovered his zest for boxing following a defeat two years ago which prompted calls for him to retire
Despite Pacquiao’s advanced years, many boxing observers are suggesting this contest could serve up a contender for Fight of the Year.
Manny Pacquiao or Keith Thurman? Fight week is officially upon us, and some of boxing biggest names make their pick! pic.twitter.com/CgCDNk833I
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 14, 2019
Thurman will have height, size and reach advantages as well as having the years on his side. But the sport’s opinion-formers generally fancy Pacquiao to triumph.
The Filipino idol says he has rediscovered his zest for boxing following a defeat two years ago which prompted calls for him to retire and a temporary split with long-term trainer Freddie Roach.
Thurman vs Pacquiao Tale of the Tape
| 29 | Wins | 61 |
| 0 | Losses | 7 |
| 0 | Draws | 2 |
| 5’7½” | Height | 5′5½″ |
| 69” | Reach | 67″ |
| 22 | KOs | 39 |
Pacquiao lost a unanimous decision while making a first defense of the WBO welterweight world title against Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane in July 2017.
Although the decision was controversial, many felt Pacquiao had gone on too long. It was his fourth defeat in nine fights.
But he has subsequently re-energized himself. He came back a year later to claim the WBA “regular” version of the welterweight with a seventh round knockout of Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Re-United With Trainer Roach
He was then re-united with trainer Roach and scored a unanimous decision win over Adrien Broner in his most recent fight last January.
Pacquiao won his first world title at flyweight in 1998 and progressed all the way through eight divisions to the WBC super-welterweight title against Antonio Margarito in 2010.
Along the way he has defeated some of the biggest names in boxing including Oscar De La Hoya, Marco Antonio Barrera, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Shane Mosley.
Manny Pacquiao reveals his one addiction ahead of Keith Thurman fighthttps://t.co/RH9I9Wt17Y pic.twitter.com/Pgl7iSod5e
— Mirror Fighting (@MirrorFighting) July 16, 2019
However, he lost a unanimous decision in his long-awaited 2015 clash with undefeated Floyd Mayweather Junior. He has been calling out Mayweather for a re-match ever since.
The Ring magazine’s prestigious ratings table currently ranks Pacquiao as the world’s fifth ranked welterweight. Thurman is rated third.
His record now stands at 61 wins with seven defeats and two draws.
The Ring magazine’s prestigious ratings table currently ranks Pacquiao as the world’s fifth ranked welterweight. Thurman is rated third.
Manny Pacquiao says that Keith Thurman’s trash talk is just giving him more fuel. “Bad for him; good for me.” Pacquiao says he’s motivated by everyone picking Thurman #PacquiaoThurman pic.twitter.com/oKZ3drYlyb
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 8, 2019
ESPN’s independent ratings place Thurman at No. 1, with Pacquiao third.
Thurman is undefeated in 29 fights.
He won the WBA welterweight title with a unanimous points win against Robert Guerrero at the MGM Grand in March 2015.
He has subsequently made successful defences against Luis Collazo, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Josesito Lopez.
Return From Injury Lay-Off
In his most recent fight against Lopez in New York last January, he scored a majority decision and his performance was criticized.
However, the fight followed a 22-month absense from the ring for Thurman.
"You don't know Keith Thurman, you don't know the road I've walked." – @keithfthurmanjr #PacThurman pic.twitter.com/I41OUbHnmj
— Mayweather Promotions (@MayweatherPromo) July 9, 2019
After his split decision victory against Garcia in March 2017 – which earned Thurman the WBC belt – he was forced to undergo elbow surgery.
He also suffered a serious hand injury. Both required a long period of rest and rehabilitation.
Pick: Thurman +118
Sports Writer
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
