Pacquiao defeats Thurman by decision

Manny Pacquiao displayed vintage form to fashion out a decision victory over Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand Arena on Sunday.

Surprisingly, however, one judged scored the fight for Thurman despite Pacquiao's dominance, resulting in a split decision result.

The 40-year-old Pacquiao set the tone early, sending the brash American to the ground in the first round before dominating the rest of the bout.

“He’s not an easy opponent. He’s a good boxer, he’s strong,” said Pacquiao of Thurman.

Pacquiao hinted that he will be returning to the ring, noting he will be busy with his work in the Senate in the Philippines.

Fireworks began early, with the fighters going toe-to-toe right in the opening round to get a taste of each other’s power. Late in the round, Pacquiao unleashed a wicked right hook set up by a left to the body to send Thurman to the ground.

That set the tone for the rest of the fight, as Pacquiao used his superior speed to outgun Thurman in numerous exchanges.

Thurman tried to turn things around in the second half of the fight, coming in more aggressive beginning in the seventh round.

Pacquiao rocked Thurman again with a powerful body shot in the 10th round, leaving the younger fighter dazed. But Thurman showed the heart of a champion, holding Pacquiao off with enough offense to survive the round.

The Filipino champion remained aggressive in the 11th, putting Thurman back on his bicycle with combinations to the body. Thurman once again had a solid response, tagging Pacquiao with a right to out a halt on the legend’s offense.

The Filipino senator improved his record to 62-7-2. The 30-year-old Thurman, meanwhile, suffered his first defeat to fall to 29-1. Pacquiao walked away with the WBA welterweight title. He entered the fight with the “regular” version of the belt, while Thurman had the “super” version of the championship.

—JST, GMA News