Quijano: 3 scenarios for Thurman-Pacquiao

FIRST. Keith Thurman storms out of the gate as promised. He launches an all-out assault but the Pacman however, is only too happy to oblige.

It’s a brutal slugfest the first three rounds. Were Pacquiao a younger man, it would have been a swift, brutal ending for Thurman and he would be Hattonized in the second round.

But this iteration of the Pacman is a bit slower and does not have the hale, vigorous physique of his yesteryears.

Nonetheless, he still has what it takes.

In the fourth, Thurman runs straight into his patented left and Pacquiao follows it up with a right-hook that knocks Thurman down.

The crowd erupts. A wobbly Thurman gets up at five and soldiers on. Pacquiao unleashes a follow-up volley that knocks Thurman down face first.

The ref has seen enough and waives it off

SECOND. The first three rounds are close with Pacquiao boxing smartly and Thurman trying to bully Pacquiao into the ropes.

The Pacman starts to gain control of the fight in the fifth, picking his spots and sharpshooting Thurman as he rushes in wildly.

Then the unexpected happens. A wayward left hook finds its way into Pacquiao’s chin and he goes down. He looks more stunned than hurt as he gets up just as the round ends.

Thurman tries to follow up on his success but the wily veteran ties him up and thwarts his flurries. Pacquiao doesn’t have the recuperative powers of old but he soldiers on and counter-punches well for the remainder of the fight.

However in the end, the judges reward the younger man’s aggression and gives Thurman the nod.

THIRD. Pacquiao starts strong and pummels Thurman in the first four rounds. Thurman tries to rally in the middle rounds as Manny seems to take his feet off the gas pedal.

However, Pacquiao gets his second wind and knocks Thurman down in the eighth round. He follows this up with another knockdown in the 10th.

Pacquiao continues boxing brilliantly in the championship rounds and clearly outclasses his young, feral opponent.

To his credit, Thurman is tough enough to finish the fight but there is no doubt who is the unanimous victor at the denouement of the fight.

LAST ROUND. It’s on a good friend Atty. Kenneth Yap, who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers!

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