Share

Pacquiao, Thurman face off at weigh-in

Las Vegas - Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman both tipped the scales at 146.5 pounds ahead of their much-anticipated WBA world welterweight title clash on Friday.

Filipino icon Pacquiao smiled and waved to several thousand fans inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena as he faced off with undefeated champion Thurman for the final time before Saturday's bout.

"It's going to be a good fight," Pacquiao said from the stage. 

"I want to prove something in this fight. It's all set for tomorrow," added Pacquiao, who was half a pound lighter for his last fight in January against Adrien Broner.

Thurman meanwhile was greeted by loud boos from an overwhelmingly pro-Pacquiao crowd.

"It is my time. This is one time. Manny Pacquiao ain't doing nothing to me, baby," Thurman said.

Pacquiao is attempting to capture Thurman's WBA "super" welterweight crown, regarded as the sanctioning body's most important championship belt in the division.

The 40-year-old will be climbing into the ring for the 71st time in what is seen as his most challenging contest since defeat to Floyd Mayweather in 2015's "Fight of the Century."

Thurman meanwhile returned to the ring in January after a near two-year layoff, defeating Josesito Lopez to improve his record to 29 wins with 22 knockouts.

The 30-year-old from Florida is determined to boost his legacy with a win over Pacquiao, and has pledged to send the Filipino into retirement with a decisive victory.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to destroy a legend," Thurman told reporters ahead of Saturday's fight.

Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 knockouts) meanwhile said he was unconcerned by Thurman's trash-talk.

"For me nothing is personal," Pacquiao said.

"Our job is to fight. He has to prove something, and I have to prove something. It's easy to say things. But it's not so easy to do it in the ring."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Manchester City 0
Chelsea 0
loading... Live
Sekhukhune United FC 0
Cape Town Spurs FC 0
loading... Live
Orlando Pirates 0
AmaZulu 0
loading... Live
Bulls 10
Munster 17
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1819 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1782 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE