By Edward Chaykovsky
WBA 'regular' welterweight champion Keith 'One Time' Thurman gave a breakdown of the upcoming mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. The welterweight unification is scheduled for May 2nd from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Thurman is technically the WBA's mandatory challenger to the Mayweather-Pacquiao winner. He holds the WBA's 'regular' title and Mayweather-Pacquiao will have the WBA's 'super title' at stake. The WBO/WBC titles will also be up for grabs in the contest.
Thurman expects some wild waters for Mayweather, but still sides with him to come away with the victory.
"I see Manny Pacquiao using his speed. We know Mayweather is very crafty, he's very slippery - and he holds. One thing that people don't give him a lot of credit for, is that he strategically holds a fighter so they can break and then he can get back on his feet and get back on the outside. I'm interested in how Floyd is going to deal with Manny's speed. I'm interested in how Manny is going to deal with Floyd's speed," Thurman said.
"I expect Floyd to pot-shot that right hand all night, line it up and fire. He's going to use the jab, a stiff one to the solar plexus like he likes to do, he will switch up his power punches. I expect Floyd to be on his toes and pot-shotting. I don't expect combinations out of Floyd Mayweather. I expect a lot of movement and strategic punching and strategic holding, and maneuvers to stay away from the danger of Manny Pacquiao."
"Now Manny Pacquiao throws punches from some awkward angles and I think that will benefit him in the fight. I think it would be wise for Manny to come in with a little bit of feinting and head movement. I think he is definitely a tougher opponent than Marcos Maidnaa. I lean towards Floyd [to win], because he hasn't shown us anything to doubt, to believe that he is still not the pound for pound [king]."
