Filipino professional boxer turned politician, Manny Pacquiao has been crowned the new WBA Super welterweight champion after defeating Keith Thurman in Las Vegas.
The 40-year-old had secured a split decision victory to hand the American the first defeat of his professional career having previously won all 29 bouts.
However, the judges scored the 40-year-old ‘Pac-Man’ 115-112, 115-112 and 113-114 in Pacquiao’s favour after 12 rounds bout.
The fierce bout was highly contested by the two boxers, Pacquiao revealed: “I was blessed tonight. He’s a good boxer, he’s strong,” says Pacquiao, who becomes the oldest holder of a major welterweight title in boxing history.
“I was blessed tonight.” The 30-year-old Thurman, who had called the bout a “legacy fight” said: “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 would love the rematch. It is what it is, baby,” Thurman added
By Olukayode Oniwinde