This weekend undefeated Keith Thurman (29-0-0) puts his title on the line as he takes on eight division champion Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2).



Pacquiao is already 40 yet remains to be one of the most feared welterweights.  Several weeks before the fight, the odds turned in his favor as he is expected to win handily over the much younger fighter.  




Photos by Wendell Alinea


This therefore begs the question, how will Thurman be able to solve the aggressive fighting style of the Filipino?


The way I see it, all Thurman has to do is look at the last three losses of Pacquiao and adapt the strategies of his conquerors.



#1  BULLY PACQUIAO LIKE HORN



Thurman can opt to use the close-to-dirty tactics of Horn. 

He can hold and use his elbows as Horn did.  Thurman can push Pacquiao down and continue to throw punches during the clinch as Horn did.


All he needs to hope for is that the referee will allow him to do all this during the duration of the fight,  something that Horn enjoyed.


Although controversial, Horn pulled off an upset with that strategy.


If Thurman is as bull-strong as Horn, he may just be able to do this.



#2 BOX LIKE MAYWEATHER



Of course, Thurman can upgrade his boxing skills and take on Pacquiao like Mayweather.    


Stick and jab. Step back. Set up his high guard defense. Utilize the shoulder roll technique. Hold. Run. Throw a punch then stay away.


Thurman is swift and strong but his boxing skills are nowhere near that of Floyd Mayweather.  


If he is to mirror Floyd, he should have started to upgrade his moves three months ago.



#3 KNOCK OUT PACQUIAO LIKE MARQUEZ



The punch Marquez threw that put Pacquiao away is considered a lucky punch by many.  It may be lucky in that it was one power punch that was thrown at the perfect time.  However, that punch was well timed and repeated over and over again in practice.


The flip side of this kind of offense if it is to be executed well is that the fighter must take a lot of punishment first.


Marquez face was bloodied and his nose broken after several rounds of being pummeled by Pacquiao’s left straight. The right-hand straight of an orthodox fighter is what can negate a left-hand straight of a southpaw.


On that day, at that special moment, Marquez threw the most perfect punch you can throw against a raging left hander.


If Thurman is ready to take on the same amount of punishment just to be able to unleash that one punch, then he may be the second man to score a knockout in the same fashion against the future Hall of Famer.



THE REALITY


All these are speculative.  These are the what-ifs Keith has to make real.


The truth of the matter is, Pacquiao is still faster than Thurman. They may both have power, but Pacquiao has better chances of scoring.


Unless of course Father Time suddenly introduces itself, Thurman needs to work doubly hard to make history.


Quite possibly, Pacquiao wins this under 6 rounds.


The fight is slated for July 20 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas Nevada.



Mike Ochosa is an avid sportsman.  He has written for various broadsheets and on line publication providing his thoughts and insights on various sports.  He is a freelance TV boxing analyst having sat ringside in 14 of Pacquiao’s fights and for various international sports networks as well.    He was President of Punchout Boxing Club and is currently President and Program Director of Philippine Habagat Baseball.  


Follow him on social media:

Website: mikeochosa.com

 FB: https://www.facebook.com/coachmikeochosa/, 

IG:@coachmike.O 

Twitter account, https://twitter.com/mikeochosa