Thurman readies for huge Manny Pacquiao showdown

Two weeks from Saturday night, unbeaten Keith Thurman will fight the biggest battle of his life against future Hall-of-Famer and seven weight division World Champion Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight title fight on pay-per-view in Las Vegas.

And while Pacquiao (61-7-2) has numerous experiences of being in the center of the biggest and most important fights through the last 15 years, it is something new to be part of a mega fight like this for the 29-0, 22 KOs Thurman.

This is something we explored this week on the Big Fight Weekend podcast. Lead writer Marquis Johns joined me to discuss the pending match-up. And, we both got the opportunity to visit the St. Pete (FL) Boxing Club where’s Thurman is training in advance of heading to Vegas for the showdown.

Marquis and I also spoke with legendary Thurman trainer, Dan Birmingham, who has previously worked with World Champions from the Tampa Bay area “Winky” Wright and Jeff Lacy. Birmingham gives us great insight on Thurman’s mindset. And, what, if any, challenges there are in blocking out all of the hype and mayhem around such a huge fight on pay-per-view in Las Vegas.

While Pacquiao certainly is going to be the favorite, he’s obviously 40 years old and has not been in with a young power-punching star recently, like what Thurman is.

Pacquiao’s last victory in January was an easy, but largely boring 12 round decision over Adrien Broner. Thurman meanwhile, came off a near two year layoff due to injuries to defeat Joseito Lopez in a 12 round decision.

Next up on the podcast, Antoine Williams of “The GOAT Boxing Promotions” in Houston stops by. Antoine was ringside for Jermall Charlo WBC Middleweight title defense last Saturday night in Houston and gives insight into the wind and charlows injured left hand. Further he and I discuss possible next opponents for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, and whether Alvarez, “Golden Boy Promotions” and DAZN streaming service have an obligation to put better fights on for Canelo over the course of the 10 flight deal they have?

Marquis then returns to the podcast to give some insight on any important fights that will be going on this weekend off the July 4th holiday.

Hear it in it’s entirety here.