Avila Perspective Chap. 56: Pacquiao – Thurman Notes and More

Published

6 years ago

July 17, 2019

Avila Perspective Chap. 56: Pacquiao – Thurman Notes and More

Once upon a time the name Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao struck fear in the boxing world as he ransacked whole divisions like a modern-day Attila the Hun. That’s no longer the case.

Today, an army of welterweights line up with hands stretched high hoping to be picked like so many suitors for a high school prom.

Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) was the lucky guy personally hand-picked by Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) to meet at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 20. FOX pay-per-view will televise the battle for the WBA welterweight world title.

Could this be the final date for Filipino Senator Pacquiao?

Hollywood loves a comeback story and seldom has anyone overcome as many obstacles as the diminutive southpaw speedster from General Santos City in the Philippines.

Pacquiao arrived on the professional boxing circuit in January 1995. No one could foresee that the 5-foot 5-inch flyweight would first conquer the 112-pound flyweight division in 1998, and then embark on a fistic journey that would result in capturing world titles in eight weight divisions.

You would need to be Nostradamus.

When you think of a flyweight eventually invading the heavier weight divisions and eventually conquering the super welterweights it makes analysts think that he just might be the greatest prizefighter of all time.

Time and age have worn down the speed that enabled Pacquiao to run circles around Antonio Margarito on his way to snatching the super welterweight title from the Mexican slugger in November 2010. Time also eroded the strength that allowed him to annihilate Ricky Hatton for the super lightweight world title in May 2009. It was also the last win by knockout for Pacman until he stopped Lucas Matthysse a year ago.

Now he tests what remains of those gifts that separated him from mortal men.

Thurman

Thurman seems giddy about his opportunity to fight a living legend. The Florida prizefighter who resembles the late actor Ron O’Neal of the 1970s film “Superfly,” seemed downright ecstatic. He also views his match against Pacquiao as somewhat of an afterthought; that a victory over Pacquiao is as predictable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

“He’s in trouble,” said Thurman with a chuckle. “I’m not going to run away from this rabbit.”

Thurman, like Pacquiao, no longer knocks out opponents let alone with one punch as his nickname “One Time” signifies. He’s a boxer who can punch and no longer a puncher who can box. Still, he’s only 30 years old facing a fighter who has a decade’s more worth of wear and tear from punches absorbed from sparring and fighting.

It’s been four years since Thurman ended a fight before the final bell. The last opponent he sent into the ozone was Luis Collazo on July 2015. But, of course, injuries and other matters kept Thurman from activity. During the last four years he’s only had four fights but that includes wins over Shawn Porter and Danny “Swift” Garcia in world title fights.

This past January he was stunned by Josesito Lopez but rallied to win by decision. Lopez has always been a surprisingly good fighter despite a so-so record.

Is Thurman Pacquiao-ready?

When the two fighters met face to face in Beverly Hills both traded barbs with equal lust.

“Pacquiao is a little guy,” Thurman said. “He’s never fought somebody this young and this strong.”

Pacquiao remained calm and composed. Over the decades he’s heard all of the talk and derisive remarks tossed in his direction.

“Lot of my opponents say a lot of useless words before fights. When we get in the ring things will change,” predicted Pacquiao. “Most of my opponents are bigger than me and I beat them all.”

Thurman looked at Pacquiao sideways when hearing his last remark.

“You beat them all? Thurman asked, adding that he recalls Pacquiao losing to Juan Manuel Marquez, Tim Bradley and Jeff Horn.

The last comment just rolled over Pacquiao.

“I chose Keith Thurman because he will make an exciting fight,” Pacquiao said. “I want him to experience losing in the ring.”

Whose time is it to taste losing? It could be another Hollywood ending.

Fantasy Springs

Ireland’s Jason Quigley (16-0, 12 KOs) returns to Southern California and meets Tureano Johnson (20-2-1, 14 KOs) in a middleweight clash set for 10 rounds on Thursday July 18, at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif. The card will be streamed at: www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

It’s been more than a year since Quigley departed from Southern California to train in England. The middleweight division has experienced drastic changes in that time including the takeover by fellow Golden Boy Promotions kingpin Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

Quigley can get a crack at the top if he can solve Johnson.

Back in 2015, Johnson too was on the doorstep ready to fight then middleweight king Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, but he slipped and fell. Now he is in a position to slip up Quigley. It’s an interesting and important middleweight fight.

Another Irishman, Aaron McKenna (8-0, 5 KOs), has a welterweight bout. At press time no opponent had been named. But McKenna and his brother Stevie are now training in the hills of Riverside, California with Robert Garcia. That’s one burgeoning boxing camp.

Also on the boxing card is female Olympian Marlen Esparza looking to revamp her fighting style when she fights Mexico’s Sonia Osorio in an eight round flyweight bout.

A special guest of honor will be Michael Carbajal, also known as “Little Hands of Stone,” the former light flyweight world champion from Phoenix, Arizona. Who can forget his epic clashes with Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez in the early 90s?

Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Friday in Las Vegas

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is hosting a meet and greet on Friday July 19, at its new location 3542 S. Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A number of boxing luminaries are expected to attend the event that begins at 6 p.m. All those purchasing a ticket will also receive a raffle ticket that could result in winning a ticket to the Manny Pacquiao-Keith Thurman fight card on Saturday at the MGM Grand.

An interactive exhibit is one of the attractions at the Hall of Fame headquarters that is located at HeadzUP in the Boulevard Mall. Sponsors include Title Boxing, WBC Boxing, TGB Promotions and HeadzUP.

Price of admission: $25.

“Sweet Pea” Whitaker

One last note on the passing of the great Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker. Though I only spoke to him but one time, I was partially involved in his very last pro fight.

Back in 2001, Whitaker was set to face a top-notch super welterweight but within days of the match the opponent pulled out. I had just seen Riverside’s Carlos “El Elegante” Bojorquez train and his team was begging for a fight. They didn’t care who and were always ready.

Willy Silva was the trainer of Bojorquez and the brothers Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Eric Chavez would train at his gym during this time. He had asked if I could help get Bojorquez a fight, so when Whitaker’s scheduled opponent pulled out, I called the vice president of Showtime Jay Larkin. I had developed a relationship with Larkin and when I told him Bojorquez would step in he didn’t doubt me. Calls were made and within hours all parties agreed.

Bojorquez was a fearless, hard-hitting fighter originally from the Los Mochis area of Mexico. Whitaker had not fought since losing to Puerto Rico’s great Felix Trinidad in 1999. When they met in Lake Tahoe on April 2001 it was expected that Bojorquez would be an easy target for “Sweepea.” But after a few exchanges Whitaker was visibly hurt and could not continue past the fourth round. Bojorquez was deemed the winner by technical knockout in the fourth round. Whitaker would never fight again.

The Showtime executive Larkin passed away a few years later in 2010 at age 59. He was a very approachable guy and loved combat sports.

Now the boxing world has lost Whitaker whose incredible defensive prowess was something to watch. He truly was a marvel in the boxing ring.

Fights to watch

(All times listed below are Pacific Coast Time)

Wed. 5 p.m. PT UFC Fight Watch – Hanna Gabriels (19-2-1) vs Abril Vidal (8-0).

Thurs. 7 p.m. Facebook watch – Jason Quigley (16-0) vs Tureano Johnson (20-2-1).

Fri. 3:30 p.m. ESPN+ – Teofimo Lopez (13-0) vs Masayoshi Nakatani (18-0).

Fri. 11:30 p.m. Telemundo – Saul Juarez (25-9-2) vs Ganigan Lopez (35-9).

Sat. FOX 4 p.m. – Caleb Plant (18-0) vs Mike Lee (21-0).

Sat. FOX PPV 6 p.m. – Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2) vs Keith Thurman (29-0).

Sat. DAZN – Dillian Whyte (25-1) vs Oscar Rivas (26-0).

Photo credit: Andy Samuelson / Premier Boxing Champions