Keith Thurman Issues Challenge to Manny Pacquiao

On the same day, March 4, Keith Thurman outpointed Danny Garcia in a welterweight unification bout, talks on Manny Pacquiao-Keith Thurman showdown also broke out. In reaction, Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's long-time trainer, said Pacquiao's camp would sign the contract there and then, stating he did not see anything special from the 29-year-old native of Clearwater, Florida. During the Thurman- Garcia tussle, Roach was an interested figure in the audience.

About the potential clash with the Filipino 8-division world champion, Thurman has just responded recently.  Why it took him a bit delayed to reply, Thurman and his team where not asked and did not say anything about it. But the unified WBC and WBA welterweight champ certainly wants to be the best in the 147 division and the attainment of which would require a victory over 38-year-old Manny Pacquiao, still a superstar and owner of the WBO version of Thurman's belt.  

Thurman told TMZ Sports in a recent video post "Let's get that work, man."  I think it's kind of ironic. You know what I mean? I'm the only welterweight in the world that holds two world titles, and he's still ranked above me. So at the end of the day, man, we want that Pacman fight."

Manny Pacquiao is presently scheduled for a 'big' fight but against a low-profile opponent in Jeff Horn in Australia on June 2. Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, has a plan to put Pacquiao back in the ring in November against a to-be-named-opponent should Pacquiao gets past Horn. All indications however strongly suggest the Filipino senator will have an easy work beating the former teacher.

Prior to Thurman entering the picture, already in the list of potential November winner of the Pacquiao sweepstakes are Amir Khan, fight location possibly in the United Arab Emirates; Van Heerden, venue most likely in South Africa; and Terence Crawford, for a possible Pacquiao return on US soil. Thurman for his part, who fights twice on average per year, would find no problem as well for a November assignment in the ring.