Predictions for Manny Pacquiao vs Keith Thurman

Boxing experts give their predictions for Pacquiao - Thurman fight

Eight-division champion Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao (61-7-2) and unbeaten welterweight world champion Keith "One Time" Thurman (29-0) have wrapped up the final press conference before their blockbuster showdown tthis Saturday nightat the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

With a decade separating the WBA titlists - Thurman has the WBA 'Super' and Pacquiao has the 'Regular' belt - it's an intruiging match-up that has divided many fight fans so BNN asked their panel of experts who they believe will win the WBA world welterweight title fight:

Jason McClory Matchmaker for Frank Warren

"Having spoken recently with Team Pacquiao members, he is really up for this fight and has trained real hard.

If Father Time has not caught up too much with him, then I would go with Manny. Thurman has been so inactive that I think it will really affect him.

Two years ago I thought he would do great things in the division but after the long lay off I am not so confident.

I have manny winning, just."

Dmitriy Salita Promter of Salita Promotions

"Manny Pacquiao's natural athleticism, explosive speed, and experience, even at 40, is still elite.

Although Thurman is a good, world class fighter, I believe Pacquiao will win by decision or late stoppage."

Ryan Walsh British featherweight champion

"I’m going Pacquiao to win via a tight points decision

I think Manny's experience and southpaw stance will be a huge advantage in this fight. Thurman is a fighter who likes to work off his jab, something far more difficult to do against a southpaw.

I foresee Manny leading early and as the fight nears the end Thurman's youth will tighten it up on the cards.

A controversial draw is not out of the question here. Certainly worth a little covering bet!"

Francy Luzoho Super-lightweight boxer from Ireland

"I feel like Keith Thurman will be dropping in the middle rounds by Pacquiao, with his superior seed and power, but Keith will recover and still go on to win on points in really close fight."

Steve Wood Boxing Promoter from UK

"Hard one, as word on the street is that Pacquiao is looking good and got his mojo back, which should be enough to win, but I am a great believer that age does catch you up eventually and therefore I'll go with Thurman."

Petr Petrov Two-time world title contender

"Pacquiao by any way - points or stoppage."

Jordan Neild

Boxing News Now Writer

"It is a good fight and it is one where I feel people are overlooking Keith Thurman.

Thurman didn't look great against Lopez earlier in the year, but I think his inactivity played a big part in that.

Manny needs no introduction obviously, he has achieved everything in the game but time gets everyone eventually and I think this weekend Thurman might just be too big and too fresh for this version of Pacquiao.

A prime Pacquiao would beat Keith Thurman, but as it stands I edge towards Thurman. I see Manny having some success, especially early on, but Thurman pulling away down the stretch.

Keith Thurman by UD."

Kieran Gething Welsh Area super-lightweight champion

"I am a little biased on this one, as I’m not a big fan of Thurman and am a huge fan of the Pac-Man story.

I feel if Manny can box how he has lately, but with a faster start, then he beats Thurman.

Thurman can catch him early or late if he stays strong, but for me it’s a Pacquiao points win or late stoppage."

George Lacey ITV Sport Reporter

"I feel this fight is a cracker on paper and I hope the legend that is Manny Pacquiao can continue his recent revival.

Since losing to Jeff Horn, he seems to have his mojo back. My worry is that he fights until he’s flatlined again like in the Marquez fight.

He has to know when to walk away but what a way to do it by becoming world champion again again, eh?

Thurman had a long lay-off and was forced the distance by a very game Josesito Lopez in a real battle so he’ll need to be better than that to retain the WBA 'Super' title.

He’s called this the biggest fight of his life so he’s leaving no stone left unturned. If Thurman can nullify the movement and come-forward style of Pac-Man, I can see him winning a points decision.

It’s a real pick 'em fight though and depends a lot on what Pacquiao arrives at the MGM. I’d love to see Pacquiao reign supreme again and defend the title but the division is so talented.

I’m going to go with my head though and pick Thurman on points."

Ben Day Former Southern Area champion

"Manny Pacquiao has more skills and much more experience over Thurman, and the volume of punches he throws is insane, forget about his age.

Having said that, Thurman is young, hungry and talented, and also the bigger fighter of the two.

Manny - W12."

Kevin Campion Matchmaker and Promoter

"Its a good fight this and I actually fancy Thurman to win, but I don’t think he will get the decision if it goes to points.

I love Pacquiao, he's an absolute icon of the sport and I would love to see him do it, but Thurman can punch and is a great fighter, but unless Thurman can stop him, I can’t see the judges scoring it for anyone but Pac-Man."

Jamie Speight Three-time Southern Area champion

"I think it will be an entertaining fight and Thurman will have his moments but I feel Pacquiao is having a second wind in his fantastic career and I think we will see him outmove and outwork Thurman, who will looking to land the big shots and Pac-Man takes a decent points win."

Chris Glover Boxing Writer

"Thurman edges it on points, for me, via a narrow decision.

Politics will come into factor in this fight. If Thurman wins then he becomes an 8-figure fighter. So Thurman will win."

Jack Bradley Boxing News Now Writer

“It’s a huge fight for Keith Thurman because, as good as his wins over Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia look on his resumé, defeating Manny Pacquiao would put him on a new level and makes an Errol Spence clash that bit more mouth-watering.

Pacquiao is a legend and he has enjoyed a bit a resurgence, but he’s at the stage now where he could age overnight and start to look old in the ring.

Thurman shook off his long lay-off by getting back out earlier this year and doesn’t have the miles on the clock that Pacquiao does. I’m predicting that he has enough about him to get to Pacquiao down the stretch and take a points victory.”

Mick Kane Boxing Writer

"Thurman is the bigger guy but has only fought once in two years, will that play a part? It could do, Pacquiao has been busy in that period but has a mixed set of results, his last fight out he beat Broner on points but he has lost to the likes of Jeff Horn as well. The fight is likely to go the distance as over the last ten years, Pacquiao has won by stoppage only three times and suffered one TKO stoppage, every other result went the distance. By the same token, Thurman has only one stoppage win in his last six fights.

Despite a 10-year age gap between the two this fight could be close right to the final bell.

I'm going to go with Thurman on points on Saturday night."

Ace Adam Middleweight debutant from London

"Manny Pacquiao to win on points."

Tim Rickson Sports Agent

"Obviously, I'm a huge Pacquiao fan - who isn't? - so my heart rules my head and I believe Manny wins.

I'd love him to do it as well - at 40 - to prove that age is just a number. I also just want to see him keep achieving and surpassing records and feats. He is already a legend and you want it to last as long as possible. He's still competing and winning at the very top and I hope it lasts for as long as it possibly can. I'm pretty sure that with his Senate roles in the Philipines and basketball team that he will bow out when he knows it's time to.

Keith Thurman is a great champion, if you include the interim belt then he's actually entering into his 10th world title contest against the 70-bout veteran. I know he's got a high KO ratio, but they all came at the start of his career at the lower levels. In his last 10 fights, six have gone the distance, so I can only see a points win for either fighter in this fight. His inactivity has to be mentioned, as does his struggle with Josesito Lopez in his last fight. Just one fight in the last 28 months is shocking and there's no way it can't affect a fighter's performance, regardless of how talented they are.

I predict a Pac-Man points win."

Lewis Calvert @BigWriteHook Editor

"I personally rate Keith Thurman very highly. After beating Shawn Porter then unifying against Danny Garcia, he was a top 5 pound-for-pound fighter in my eyes. Unfortunately, his two year lay-off means he has lost that momentum and currently lacks the sharpness an active fighter has.

That said, Manny Pacquiao is not the same fighter he was 10 years ago. He is much slower at 40 years old and I expect age to play a factor - that is unless PED’s do. With no VADA testing for this fight, it does raise suspicions of something untoward; however, I would like to give Manny the benefit of the doubt.

I suspect Thurman will be too smart for his own good, he has the ability to KO Pac Man if he attacks when his moments arise, but I believe One Time will show the same caution he did in the two aforementioned fights and instead choose to box, winning round after round. For me, it goes to the judges and Pacquiao wins in a robbery because he brings in more money. That’s boxing.

Bolu Kareem Middleweight debutant from London

"Has to be Manny Pacquiao, one of the greatest fighters of all-time if not the greatest.

Manny has speed, aggression and experience, and he switches up angles, bangs to the head and the body, there is no doubt in my mind that Pacquiao wins this fight.

I feel Manny will be too much for him - the relentlessness he possesses is second to none, he will be too much for Thurman."

Aqib Tahlat Boxing News Now Writer

"It is a great fight, I think Manny Pacquiao will win.

Manny has the experience and the ring IQ to completely shut out Thurman and win on points.

Thurman hasn’t really had a challenging fight since his bout against Danny Garcia which he won back in 2017.

I will go Pacquiao on points and I feel will completely outbox Thurman."

Everything you need to know about Pacquiao vs Thurman