Thurman likens Manny to T-Rex
LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao did a very good job trying to control his emotions during Wednesday’s final press conference at the MGM Grand.
There was no doubt that Pacquiao, the mild-mannered boxing icon, faked his smile when Keith Thurman talked trash and likened the Filipino senator to a “T-Rex.”
“He has little T-Rex arms and he’s going to get beat up. I’ll get to punch a senator in the face,” said Thurman on the rostrum.
A T-Rex (tyrannosaurus) is that vicious creature that lived millions of years ago. They were unusually powerful for their size.
Pacquiao smiled and rolled his eyes as he sat three feet away. He may have gotten used to the way Thurman talks.
“For me it’s nothing personal. It’s our job as fighter. He has to prove something. I have to prove something,” said the eight-division champion.
But it’s really no secret that Pacquiao has found it quite agitating. “Let’s see,” he said. “Manny is so motivated for this fight. He’s tired of all the trash-talk,” said Pacquiao’s strength coach, Justin Fortune.
Meanwhile, Thurman continued to sell the fight before members of the press, three days before the anticipated welterweight clash.
The proud son of Clearwater, Florida said he’s betting quite a huge amount on himself scoring a knockout in the first round, second round and so forth.
“I’m a winner in life so to bet on myself in the opening round it makes me swing, swing, swing. You have to swing to hit a home run. You can’t just sit there and pump fake all day,” he said.
Thurman said he’d been to the bank, and the money is ready, and is just waiting for the “shift” in the odds.
During a brief staredown, Pacquiao and Thurman maintained a distance. They never shook hands.
But as Thurman turned his back, Pacquiao tapped him at the back, a gesture which the reigning WBA “super” welterweight champion said won’t happen inside the ring on Saturday evening.
“I’m not here to hug Manny Pacquiao. I’m not here to pat him on the back,” said Thurman.
“I’m here to fight him. He’s going to feel it and if he’s upset about it he can do something about it Saturday night,” he added. Pacquiao let it all pass. “I’m just showing my always-smiling face,” he said.
Thurman can talk all he wants.