Pacquiao: World title win at 40 was ‘fun’

Manny Pacquiao rolled back the years in Las Vegas with a tight splitdecision victory over Keith Thurman to claim the World Boxing Association’s welterweight title at the age of 40.

Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion – and its only active senator – produced a vintage performance in fighting at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the 15th time in his 71-fight career.

After 12 rounds, the judges reached a split decision, with one scoring the fight 114-113 for Thurman, overruled by the two scoring it 115-112 for Pacquiao.

Pacquiao dropped the previously unbeaten Thurman in the opening round. As his long-time trainer, Freddie Roach, put it afterwards: “Keith Thurman may be called ‘One Time’, but Manny Pacquiao is ‘All Time’.” There is no doubt that Pacquiao is headed towards the sport’s International Hall of Fame.

“It was fun,” said Pacquiao. “My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. He was strong. I think he did his best, and I did my best.”

After Pacquiao floored Thurman for the first time in his career with a straight right hand, the 30-year-old American mounted a recovery but was haunted and daunted by Pacquiao’s right hand, as he was by the jab throughout the fight.

Thurman came back into the contest in the middle rounds, smothering Pacquiao’s physicality and movement.

Pacquiao said: “I think [I will fight] next year. I will go back to the Philippines and work and then make a decision.”

Pacquiao gave no indication he would fight Briton Amir Khan next in the Middle East, as mooted, and it appears the Filipino politician aims to face Errol Spence or Shawn Porter, who meet on Sept 28.