MANILA, Philippines — Mula sa mabangis na leon sa pre-fight ay naging isang maamong tupa si Keith Thurman na magaan na tinanggap ang pagka-talo nito kay WBA super at regular welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao kahapon sa MGM Grand Garden Arena sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
Nagawa pang yakapin ni Thurman si Pacquiao nang tumunog ang final ring bilang respeto sa Pinoy boxing legend.
Tanggap ni Thurman ang naging resulta ng laban.
Naniniwala itong karapat-dapat manalo si Pacquiao.
“I knew it was too close. He got the knockdown so he had momentum in round one. This was a beautiful night of boxing. I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe. I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience in the ring,” ani Thurman.
Makailang ulit na nag-labas ng maaanghang na statement si Thurman bago ang laban.
Inihayag pa nitong handa siyang pagretiruhin sa boksing si Pacquiao.
Buburahin niya umano ang pangalan ni Pacquiao matapos ang laban.
Ngunit lahat ng ito ay hindi natupad.
Uuwing luhaan si Thurman na wala nang korona matapos maagaw ni Pacquiao ang kanyang WBA super welterweight belt.
“My numbers just weren’t up to par to be victorious tonight. The fight just flew by. I knew I had to do something big in the later rounds but he was just too good,” ani Thurman.
Gayunpaman, nais ni Thurman na magkaroon ng rematch.
“I would love the rematch,” ani Thurman.
Ngunit tila magiging pangarap na lamang ang inaasam na rematch ni Thurman dahil maugong ang bali-balitang makakasagupa ng Pinoy champion si Amir Khan sa kanyang susunod na laban.
Nakalinya pa ang posibleng rematch ni Pacquiao kay undefeated American fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr.