Pacquiao tuturuan si Thurman

MANILA, Philippines – Tuturuan ng leksiyon ni World Boxing Association (WBA) regular welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao si WBA super welterweight titlist Keith Thurman sa oras na magkrus ang kanilang landas sa Hulyo 20 (Hulyo 21 sa Manila) sa MGM Grand Garden Arena sa Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kung noong una ay pangiti-ngiti lang si Pacquiao sa mga patutsada ni Thurman, mas maaanghang na salita ang binitawan ng Pinoy champion sa pagkakataong ito.

Tiwala si Pacquiao na hindi uubra si Thurman sa kanyang lakas. Alam nito ang estilo ni Thurman kaya’t walang nakikitang problema si Pacquiao.

Sanay na si Pacquiao sa mga trash talking bago ang laban. Ilang madaldal na boksingero na rin ang pinatahimik ng Pambansang Kamao.

“I’ve seen [Thurman’s] style and I know his techniques, and I know I’ll win. Talking trash before the fight, saying he’ll send me to retirement. I want to give him a lesson,” ani Pacquiao sa panayam ng Los Angeles Times.

Makailang ulit iniha-yag ni Thurman na pagreretiruhin nito si Pacquiao.

“If you understand boxing history, you know that times change. Boxing is in a new era. Come July 20, Pacquiao will disappear. He’ll always be remembered in the sport, but I’m doing to Pacquiao what he did to Oscar De La Hoya. I’m excited to be the guy who shows Manny Pacquiao where the exit is,” ani Thurman.

Subalit iginiit ni Pacquiao na walang sinuman ang makapag-uutos sa kanya kung kailan ito magreretiro.

“He’s saying things before we fight, but I will send a message to him in the ring about exactly who he’s fighting; he will come to know that. No man can dictate when I’m going to retire,” ani Pacquiao.

Sa kanyang mahigit dalawang dekada sa boksing, wala rin aniya itong kinakatakutan.

Kailangan aniyang matuto si Thurman na rumespeto sa mas nakatatanda sa kanya.

“I’ve been in this sport two decades. Nobody intimidates me. Thurman should respect his elders, especially this elder,” dagdag ni Pacquiao.

Dahil sa maaanghang na salita ni Thurman, mas nagiging inspirado si Pacquiao na magsanay para dungisan ang rekord ng American fighter.

“It’s great motivation and it encourages me to train hard. Fighting an undefeated fighter is a thrill because I enjoy taking that record away from them. I promise that the best is yet to come, and I assure you Keith Thurman doesn’t scare me. He inspires me,” ani Pacquiao.