Pacquiao dampens talk of bout with Amir Khan in Saudi Arabia in November
Sunday 21 July 2019 10:58, UK
Manny Pacquiao claimed the WBA 'Super' welterweight title after defeating previously-unbeaten Keith Thurman on a split decision at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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The 40-year-old Pacquiao, who went into the fight as the WBA regular champion, knocked down Thurman in the opening round but ended up having to go the distance before overcoming the reigning WBA super champion.
Two judges scored the fight 115-112 in favour of the eight-division world champion from the Philippines, with the other finding in favour of American Thurman, 114-113.
"The knock down was a big factor," said Pacquiao, who became the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history.
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Thurman was gracious in defeat but said after the contest he would relish the opportunity to fight Pacquiao again.
"I want to thank the fans. I want to thank everybody for coming out. This was a beautiful night of boxing," he said.
"Manny Pacquiao is a great, truly great champion.
"I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe-to-toe. I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience in the ring.
"My conditioning, my output was just behind Manny Pacquiao. It was a great night of boxing. I'd love a rematch."
Pacquiao now boasts a record of 62 wins from 71 fights, while the defeat is the first for 30-year-old Thurman after 29 victories in his professional career.
Pacquiao also dampened talk of a fight against Amir Khan later this year after the Briton suggested last week he had signed a deal to fight the eight-division world champion in Saudi Arabia in November.
Pacquiao told Fox Sports in his post-fight ring interview: "I think my next fight will probably be next year because I am busy this year.
"After this fight I am going back to the Philippines to start working in the Senate."
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