By Tom Donelson / Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA)

Tom Brady, though past the age of 40, can still sling a football for the Patriots and may still be the best quarterback in the NFL, and a 40 year old Manny Pacquiao showed that he can still win a tough fight against an undefeated younger opponent. This was a close fight in which Keith Thurman reversed his usual M.O. of being a fast starter and often finding himself in pitched battles over the second half of fights.  Part of the reason for that was Pacquiao, who came out smoking, moved side to side while landing his jab which set up a right-hand hook that sent Thurman down in the first round.

Pacquiao dominated the early rounds and I had him winning the first three. Thurman’s jab was ineffectual throughout the bout and that is one of his key weapons.  By winning the early rounds, Pacquiao had a nice lead on the scorecards going into the second half.  In the fifth round, the Pac-Man nailed Thurman with vicious body shots. 

From the sixth, the momentum seemed to change as Thurman connected on power shots.  In the ninth round, Thurman forced Pacquiao briefly onto the ropes but Pacquiao landed a vicious left to Thurman’s body at the two-minute mark of the tenth round that hurt Thurman and forced him to retreat. This disrupted Thurman’s momentum and allowed Pacquiao to regain control of the fight. Both fighters landed a flurry of punches in the final round but Pacquiao won the round and clinched his victory.

By Tom Donelson / Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America

Manny Pacquiao showed that at age 40, that he is still a very good and Adrien Broner is still a very good opponent against elite fighters as he did very little, allowed Pacquiao to set the pace, throw most of the punches and connect on most of the punches.  The most humorous aspect of the fight was at the end when Broner jumped on the rope and acted like he won the fight.   He easily lost the fight as the Compubox numbers showed. 

Pacquiao threw nearly double the punches than Broner, including twice as many power punches and nearly three times as many jabs.  Can’t win fights if you moving backwards, not throwing punches and incapable of hurting your opponent. 

In the seventh round was an example on why Pacquiao won this fight easily.  He chased Broner with jabs, forcing Broner to backpedal.  When Broner did land a punch, Manny simply pushed the issue and kept up the relentless pressure.   Manny landed a big flurry, hurting  Broner.   Broner try grabbed Pacquiao but Manny simply kept throwing haymakers and Broner just survived the round.

By Tom Donelson / Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America

Manny Pacquiao decided to add one more title to his resume as he fought for Jessie Vargas WBO welterweight title.  Pacquiao was the favorite but at this stage in the PacMan’s career, age could become a factor. Pacquiao does have another day job as a Senator in the Philippine Congress and at 37, the speed and quickness can quickly disappear.

After a non-eventful first round, Pacquiao speed took hold as he nailed Vargas with right hooks and a straight left that sent Vargas down for an eight count in the second round.  Vargas looked more angry than hurt as he arose from the floor, but PacMan drew first blood. 

Throughout the third and fourth round, Pacquiao aggression was having its effect as his combinations were fast and hard.  Vargas didn’t seem to have any answers.  During the sixth round, Vargas stood his ground as he landed big rights as he put distance between himself and Pacquiao.  Vargas found that as long as he kept Pacquiao at a distance, he could make this a competitive fight.   Vargas left jab proved effective and allowed him to connect with straight rights. 

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