Day of reckoning beckons: ‘Professor’ Pacquiao vows to teach Thurman a boxing lesson

LAS VEGAS – It will be “Exam Day” for Keith Thurman.

Manny Pacquiao warned Thurman that his boxing knowledge will be put to the test when they meet in the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday (Sunday, Phl time).

“Tomorrow night (today), class is in session,” Pacquiao said.

The 40-year-old Filipino star will be banking on his extensive experience against the much younger Thurman, a fighter 10 years his junior.

Pacquiao is a veteran of 70 fights (61-7-2, with 39 knockouts), while Thurman has fought 29 times — all victories, including 22 by way of knockout.

Thurman’s resume pales in comparison to Pacquiao, who has fought and beaten some of the biggest names in the sport during his prime.

But the Clearwater, Florida-based fighter is expected to rely heavily on his power and boxing ability, which he had been amplifying by talking tough throughout the promotion of their WBA welterweight title showdown.

Thurman stressed he is ready to take over the division.

But for Pacquiao, it will be teacher versus student.

“I hope Keith Thurman studied hard because Professor Pacquiao gives very hard tests,” Pacquiao said.

During yesterday’s official weigh-in, Pacquiao and Thurman both tipped the scales at 146.5 pounds.

Filipino icon Pacquiao smiled and waved to several thousand fans inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena as he faced off with undefeated champion Thurman for the final time before their hotly-anticipated showdown.

“It’s going to be a good fight,” Pacquiao said from the stage.

“I want to prove something in this fight. It’s all set for tomorrow (today),” added Pacquiao, who was half a pound lighter for his last fight in January against Adrien Broner.

Thurman meanwhile was greeted by loud boos from an overwhelmingly pro-Pacquiao crowd.

“It is my time. This is one time. Manny Pacquiao ain’t doing nothing to me, baby,” Thurman said.

Pacquiao is attempting to capture Thurman’s WBA “super” welterweight crown, regarded as the sanctioning body’s most important championship belt in the division.

It is seen as his most challenging contest since his defeat to Floyd Mayweather in 2015’s “Fight of the Century.”

Thurman meanwhile returned to the ring in January after a near two-year layoff, defeating Josesito Lopez. He is determined to boost his legacy with a win over Pacquiao, and has pledged to send the Filipino into retirement with a decisive victory.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to destroy a legend,” Thurman told reporters.

Pacquiao meanwhile said he was unconcerned by Thurman’s trash-talk.

“For me nothing is personal,” Pacquiao said. “Our job is to fight. He has to prove something, and I have to prove something. It’s easy to say things. But it’s not so easy to do it in the ring.”— Philstar.com and AFP reports