MANILA – Newly-crowned WBA world super welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is not closing his doors on a possible rematch with American Keith Thurman following their recent encounter that ended in a split decision in favor of the Filipino fighter.
In a television interview, the 40-year-old Pacquiao said he was willing to grant the request of Thurman as he admitted that his latest win was one of the hardest in his 71-bout boxing career.
“I don’t have a problem. It’s better if there is a rematch,” Pacquiao said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda. “This is one of my better wins in my boxing career.”
He added: “I think I can rank this with the (Antonio) Margarito fight, the (Oscar) De La Hoya fight, the (Erik) Morales fights, the (Juan Manuel) Marquez fights, the (Marco Antonio) Barrera fights.”
“You saw last Sunday what we did in the ring. My opponent was very tough and strong. It was the first time I’ve encountered someone who was heavy-handed like Keith Thurman,” he said.
Following his defeat, Thurman admitted he was hoping to have a rematch with Pacquiao after absorbing his first career defeat, which he described as a blessing and a lesson learned.
“My conditioning output was way behind Pacquiao. It was a great night of boxing,” Thurman said. “Manny Pacquiao is a truly great, great legendary champion. I would love a rematch.”
Leonard Ellerbe of Mayweather Promotions, which co-promoted the boxing card, said in a separate interview that a rematch with Thurman is the most logical move for Pacquiao.
“While the match on Sunday was close, I thought it was a unanimous decision win for Pacquiao,” said Ellerbe./PN
