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Thurman picks Errol Spence to beat Manny Pacquiao


Former world welterweight champion Keith Thurman is picking WBC and IBF world welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. to defeat Manny Pacquiao when the two fighters meet inside the ring on August 21.

"I do respect Pacquiao but I favor Spence," Thurman said in an interview with Fighthype.com.

"Just because of size, youth, and then ultimately when was the last time we saw Pacquiao against a world-class southpaw? Styles make fights especially against Manny Pacquiao we've seen throughout in his career many different times," he added.

Thurman knows what it is like to get in the ring with the Filipino boxing icon, having lost to him in his last fight in July 2019 via split decision. For that reason, Thurman says it would be wrong to count Pacquiao out.

"His number one attribute is that speed, and power coming in awkward little angles with that burst of energy. I do believe that is something Errol has not seen in his career," he said.

"Punches the way that Pacquiao punches, but I was able to walk Pac down by keeping my guard up. Spence is really good in his guard. I think he'll be able to do what he needs to do in the fight, but I'm not saying Pacquiao is out of it."

The 42-year-old Pacquiao has recently started his preparations for Errol Spence. The official venue of the mega showdown is yet to be announced.

—MGP, GMA News

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