LAS VEGAS - Former world champion Keith Thurman had his opinion about the majority draw decision earned by Manny Pacquiao in a failed bid to wrest the world welterweight title bout with Mario Barrios.
But at the same time, he said at the end of the day, he saif it’s the voice of only three people that mattered the most.
“It’s tough. You’re dealing with human beings, three human beings, and thousands in attendance, three that matter,” explained the 36-year-old American. “My opinion doesn’t matter. You’re opinion doesn’t matter. Three people’s opinion, that’s all that matters.”
READ Gibbons insists Pacquiao 'robbed of victory' in Barrios fight
Barrios, the World Boxing Council title holder, retained his crown after the one judge scored it 115-113 in his favor and the other two by 114-114 scores.
That the fight was a closely-fought one no longer surprised Thurman, the same man who Pacquiao dethroned in 2019 for the WBA welterweight title belt.
“It’s very hard to score a Pacquiao fight. It’s a sand screen with every punches thrown. It’s really hard,” he said.
“I said it mid-fight, 'This goes the distance, it could be very interesting what the judges had to say.'”
Thurman said Pacquiao’s gungho-style obviously plays to the crowd as compared to Barrios’ one-dimensional stance.
“A lot of people overall liked [Pacquiao's] performance because Mario Barrios’ tactic is a little bit on the boring side,” stressed the one-time unified welterweight champ.
“But sometimes, that’s what gonna give you the win.”
And that’s exactly what happened as Barrios escaped away with an outcome many thought should have gone Pacquiao’s way.
“He (Pacquiao) didn’t lose,” said Thurman, “I mean the MGM would have been screaming if they heard, ‘And the new…’ That would have been on fire.”
If there’s one good thing that came out of the experience, Thurman said it’s the fact that Pacquiao showed he can still fight at an elite level notwithstanding his advanced age.
“At the end of the day, there was a ton of love, a ton of support for Manny Pacquiao, lots of anticipation. It was a good fight, he looked good, he didn’t look great, he didn’t get beat up, he’s gonna go home, he’s gonna be able to be with his family, he’s gonna be able to get some good rest, he has to make some decision if he goes back to the ring,” said Thurman.
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