Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is irate with forthcoming opponent Keith Thurman over comments made during a recent press conference.
Thurman, taking to the podium as Pacquiao watched on during the media tour, made statements which have angered the Filipino.
“We’re ready. This is a blessing to be here and a dream come true. I started boxing at the age of seven. I worked hard to be a champion and I’ve always wanted to fight the greatest names in the sport,” said Thurman.
“Pacquiao wants a challenge and I’m very grateful to be sharing a ring with a legend. If you understand boxing history, you know that times change.
“I believe 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 Manny Pacquiao what he did to Oscar De La Hoya.”
After return to re-focus on preparations, Pacquiao is going through camp with bad intentions.
“I’ll teach him how a 40-year-old fighter fights,” Pacquiao the Manila Times. “He is such a braggart!”
Adding further on Pacquiao’s outrage, trainer Buboy Fernandez stated there was now a nasty side to ‘The Pacman’ regarding this fight.
“He’s really mad,” revealed Fernandez. “He was furious because of Thurman’s statements (at the press conference) that after the fight, Manny will disappear from boxing.
“I already felt it even when we first worked since the day I arrived from Bicol early this week. He tried to repeatedly do what, I supposed, will be what he’ll do come fight night.”
FURY
Elaborating on Pacquiao’s edgier persona, Fernandez continued: “We know Manny is very soft-hearted (with whoever his opponent is). He used to even wish them good luck.
“But during our preparations for the (Erik) Morales fights (II and III) he was angry with his rival,” he recalled. “Up to the day of the fight, he showed his anger.
“Manny felt such Thurman statements like crucifying him and erasing him from the face of earth were disrespectful. Not only as a Filipino but on God himself.
“It’s good for the fight but bad for Thurman because he will be the recipient of Manny’s fury!”
The winner of the July 20 bout at MGM Grand will be the sole and rightful WBA welterweight champion.
A huge unification with the winner of Errol Spence v Shawn Porter is then on the cards for the back end of 2019.
Three world title belts would be on the line.
