Naging maamong tupa si Keith

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.