AT 40 YEARS OF AGE, Pacquiao established TWO records when he became the OLDEST welterweight champion and welterweight champion for the FOURTH time (only Britton and Emile are next with three). Had the WBC not stripped Thurman, Pacquiao would be the unified welterweight champion. I'm not even a huge Pacquiao fan, but I am in awe of this man.
Enhanced like being 40 and having close to 25 years of fight experience—just 5 years less than Thurman's age?
If you don't think Thurman abused the same doping loopholes Pac may have, you're deluded. As it stands, neither popped for drugs, so I'll consider them as clean even though they're likely not. And Pacs win was very impressive. How he boxed was brilliant in a fun bout.
When you step back and think about it, it’s really a historic victory for PAC. Thurman is still top four WW and Pack beat him soundly. Crawford and Spence are the top two guys at WW, I guess and neither one has ever faced a guy as good as Thurman. Manny is a true ATG. Instead of milking his name and legacy by fighting faded champs or MMA guys, he is fighting real opponents and still winning at 40. We are witnessing history and it’s impossible for me to not root for him and marvel at his accomplishments. IMO, Manny is the greatest fighter of all time. He’s way past prime and I understand the PED speculation, but the guy has tremendous guts to be laying it on the line against real opponents at his advanced age.
I’m not. Just these incredible, awe-inspiring feats aren’t as amazing as some may think. Yeah, exactly that...
Shocked at the lack of discussion on this topic honestly. PEDs or not I think it was a fair fight and what pac has done is historic. Were he an american I think the boxing industry would have a collective orgasm over what he has accomplished. I'm so glad I've been able to follow his career from the beginning, truly a once in a lifetime fighter.
I mean, I don't think Pacquaio is the absolute GOAT like some do. However, he is easily a top 40 fighter of all time by any criteria. H2H, resume, dominance, longevity etc. The Thurman win is an impressive reminder about just how great Pac is.
Ace post. Pac goes home after ever fight and then the only coverage on him comes from Philippines media. Even Canelo doesn't get a lot of US coverage between fights and Mexican boxing largely drives the sport.
Yes true ay . Gave great flights was a real privilege to witness all that Pacquiao achieved in boxing can't cee anyone being able to pass being 8 weight division Champion Pacquiao put the bar very high , 9 weight divisions one would have to win a big ask frankly I don't cee anyone or anything in the future winning 8 ay 9 will be far away . Pacquiao cemented in History wit a Deadly Profile . Better than Floyd Mayweather achievement of passing Rocky Marciano record .
Very fun bout indeed, one that helped me get through the slow no-sports section of summer. What I was getting at by saying that, is perpetuating or starting steroid rumors where there is no basis for doing so discredits the sport. You may think someone is on PED's, but there is no way to know for sure without concrete evidence. Trash Canelo, or Fury, or Whyte all you want because there is evidence there. It cheapens the narrative of the sport otherwise, ya know?
Oh I totally agree with you. I just think it's hypocritical of people to repeatedly suggest Pac may have abused some vague loopholes, but Thurman never did, when those same loopholes are open to him too.
