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SCMP Reporters

After what seems like a month of trash talk – well, from Keith Thurman, mostly – we are finally set for Manny Pacquiao’s big clash with the unbeaten American this weekend.
The Filipino icon goes against “One Time” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on July 20, challenging for the WBA super welterweight belt.
The 30-year-old Thurman (29-0 with 22 KOs, one no contest) has the edge when it comes to youth but Pacquiao has the experience.
Saturday night (US time) will be the 40-year-old fighting senator’s 71st fight, with 61 wins (39 by knockout), seven losses and two draws.
Manny Pacquiao vs Keith Thurman live blog, round-by-round analysis updates

Pacquiao began his Los Angeles training camp as the betting underdog for the first time since his blockbuster fight against Floyd Mayweather in 2015.
But, with money piling in for the eight-time division world champion, he eventually became the new favourite. Here are the odds as of Wednesday, and you can read the Post’s reporters’ predictions below:

Manny Pacquiao to win: 1.91
Keith Thurman to win: 2.0
Draw: 21-1

PREDICTION – Unus Alladin: Having followed Pacquiao for more than 10 years, I can safely say his training camp has been one of the toughest and happiest in years. Look at any of his training videos on YouTube and you see an extremely fit athlete at 40 years old. Thousands have attended his workouts and the Filipino seems to enjoy soaking up the crowd’s energy. Pacquiao has been motivated for this fight from the start and is ready to deliver another impressive performance.
The Filipino icon’s last fight against Adrien Broner in January was classy. He proved he could easily put away a younger fighter. Pacquiao will be a better fighter than six months ago. Thurman had been inactive for 22 months until he narrowly defeated Josesito Lopez after surviving a near knockout in the seventh round in January. Having just two fights in a space of 28 months is not ideal, especially against a still dangerous fighter such as Pacquiao. The American has been struggling with an elbow injury and other issues and unless he has improved in leaps and bounds during the past six months, I can’t see him winning. Pacquiao’s hand speed and footwork will prove too much for “One Time”.
VERDICT: Pacquiao by decision

PREDICTION – Paul Ryding: If Manny Pacquiao can overcome Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on Saturday night, it will go down as one of his greatest achievements in the sport. At 40 years old, time is not on the Filipino icon’s side and Thurman, 10 years his junior, is in the mood to make a big statement this weekend after a stop-start period in his career.
I can’t see Pacquiao’s experience and ring craft, his best weapon against the unbeaten Thurman, being enough to give him the W on Saturday. I predict Thurman’s power will gradually slow Pacquiao up before a late knockout. Pacquiao’s best chance is if he can make it to the judges’ scorecard and even then, I think he will have taken a lot of punishment in getting there.
VERDICT: Thurman by KO

PREDICTION – Nick Atkin: Keith Thurman has talked a Hall of Fame level of trash and it’s been fun to see him embrace his moment in the spotlight. It seems to have got Manny Pacquiao more fired up than we’ve seen in a decade. Maybe that plays into Thurman’s hands – he could be goading Pacquiao into making mistakes by getting too emotional. Pacquiao has quietly gone about his business in an intense training camp and his team say he is “p***** off”. Manny might just be about to roll back the years. As Roach said, it’s gonna be “One Time” vs “All Time” in that ring. Pacquiao is not intimidated by anybody and seems laser focused.
Despite his destruction of Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur last year, I can’t see a spectacular Pacquiao KO of old. But I can see him wearing down a ring rusty Thurman and getting a stoppage in the late rounds with an accumulative onslaught.
VERDICT: Pacquiao by TKO


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Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao vs Keith Thurman: odds, predictions, fight date for Las Vegas showdown

Manny Pacquiao (left) and Keith Thurman at their final media workouts. Photo: EPA/AFP

epa07708984 Filipino Senator and professional boxer Manny Pacquiao has his gloves adjusted during training at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Los Angeles, California, USA, 10 July 2019. Pacquiao will fight Keith Thurman on 20 July in Las Vegas. EPA-EFE/ETIENNE LAURENT

Eight-division world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao (L) spars with coach Freddy Roach in Hollywood, California on July 10, 2019. - Pacquiao is training ahead of his July 20 bout against Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP)

epa07708973 Filipino Senator and professional boxer Manny Pacquiao (C) trains at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Los Angeles, California, USA, 10 July 2019. Pacquiao will fight Keith Thurman on 20 July in Las Vegas. EPA-EFE/ETIENNE LAURENT

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 10: Keith Thurman works out for members of the media ahead of his fight against Manny Pacquiao on July 20th at St Pete Boxing Club on July 10, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Manny Pacquiao defeats Keith Thurman: live blog -- as it happened

Manny Pacquiao ‘crucify’ taunt explained as Keith Thurman gets biblical again with his trash talk

Manny Pacquiao (left) shakes hands with Keith Thurman during their New York news conference in May. Photo: AP

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao (C) jogs in the morning with fans and friends in Los Angeles on June 20, 2019. - Veteran trainer Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao has rediscovered his aggressive streak as the one-month countdown to his battle with welterweight champion Keith Thurman got under way on June 20. (Photo by Apu Gomes / AFP)

Keith Thurman arrives to a news conference on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, in New York. Thurman and Manny Pacquiao are scheduled to fight in a welterweight world championship boxing bout on Saturday, July 20, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Manny Pacquiao? I’ll bet US$10,000 I KO him inside two rounds, says Keith Thurman

Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman stand face to face during their news conference in New York. The two are set to fight in a welterweight world championship boxing bout on July 20 in Las Vegas. Photo: AP

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 06: (R-L) Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines connects with a right to the head of Oscar De La Hoya during their welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena December 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Manny Pacquiao’s body has ‘freakish’ ability to recover and he eats 7,000 calories per day

Manny Pacquiao trains in the morning with fans and friends at Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles. Photo: AFP

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao (R) attends an afternoon training session at Wild Card Boxing in Los Angeles on June 20, 2019. - Veteran trainer Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao has rediscovered his aggressive streak as the one-month countdown to his battle with welterweight champion Keith Thurman got under way on June 20. (Photo by Apu Gomes / AFP)

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao (C) sits in his house after a training session with fans and friends in Los Angeles on June 20, 2019. - Veteran trainer Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao has rediscovered his aggressive streak as the one-month countdown to his battle with welterweight champion Keith Thurman got under way on June 20. (Photo by Apu Gomes / AFP)

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao (C) leaves his house in the morning to jog with fans and friends in Los Angeles on June 20, 2019. - Veteran trainer Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao has rediscovered his aggressive streak as the one-month countdown to his battle with welterweight champion Keith Thurman got under way on June 20. (Photo by Apu Gomes / AFP)

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao trains attends an afternoon training session at Wild Card Boxing in Los Angeles on June 20, 2019. - Veteran trainer Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao has rediscovered his aggressive streak as the one-month countdown to his battle with welterweight champion Keith Thurman got under way on June 20. (Photo by Apu Gomes / AFP)

Manny Pacquiao’s son Jimuel gets into the ring to join his father in training

Manny Pacquiao is hitting top form ahead of his fight against Keith Thurman. Photo: AFP

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao trains in the morning with fans and friends at Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles on June 20, 2019. - Veteran trainer Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao has rediscovered his aggressive streak as the one-month countdown to his battle with welterweight champion Keith Thurman got under way on June 20. (Photo by Apu Gomes / AFP)

Manny Pacquiao wants to prove ‘not all 40 year olds are finished’ by beating Keith Thurman

Manny Pacquiao trains at Wild Card Boxing in Los Angeles. Photo: AFP

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao watches a Philippine Basketball match at his house after a training session with fans and friends in Los Angeles on June 20, 2019. - Veteran trainer Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao has rediscovered his aggressive streak as the one-month countdown to his battle with welterweight champion Keith Thurman got under way on June 20. (Photo by Apu Gomes / AFP)

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Check the latest odds for Saturday night’s huge clash at the MGM Grand
Post reporters give their verdicts on who they think will have their hand raised


Check the latest odds for Saturday night’s huge clash at the MGM Grand as Post reporters give their verdicts on who they think will have their hand raised.


Martial arts

Manny Pacquiao vs Keith Thurman: odds, predictions, fight date for Las Vegas showdown

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Check the latest odds for Saturday night’s huge clash at the MGM Grand Post reporters give their verdicts on who they think will have their hand raised

Check the latest odds for Saturday night’s huge clash at the MGM Grand

Post reporters give their verdicts on who they think will have their hand raised