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Manny Pacquiao vs Keith Thurman: What time is ring walk, how to live stream, odds, TV channel and undercard information

The winner will be in contention to face Errol Spence Jr or Terence Crawford as supremacy at 147 pounds draws ever closer

Sunday 21 July 2019 02:56 BST

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Manny Pacquiao challenges Floyd Mayweather to rematch in post-fight interview

Manny Pacquiao may be dwindling, but the legendary Filipino is on the brink of yet more history as he meets Keith Thurman for the American’s WBA super world welterweight title on Saturday.

Thurman has been nursing injuries since staking a legitimate claim to the throne at 147 pounds after dispatching Danny Garcia in 2017.

A near two-year hiatus ensued and during that Pacquiao suffered what appeared to be the beginning of the end in a shock loss to Jeff Horn.

Yet the 40-year-old regrouped, wiped out Lucas Matthysse and then charmed the boxing world clamouring for another Adrien Broner loss. Thurman, too, has bounced back, but in less emphatic fashion, appearing sluggish in victory over Josesito Lopez as he shook off the rust.

Here is everything you need to know about this colossal fight this week.

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

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1/16February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

Who is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world?

The ranking of The Independent's 10 best male boxers on the planet. Take a look through to see who comes out on top.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Anthony Joshua

Joshua recaptured his world heavyweight titles in dominant fashion, but in a new manner for the Briton: boxing beautifully off the back foot. He is now back in the mix, even if he is just behind Wilder and Fury, to be considered the best heavyweight in the world. All three are just on the outside of our list though until they fight each other

AP

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Deontay Wilder

Nobody can deny he has a claim as the most powerful puncher pound-for-pound, but despite wiping out Luis Ortiz, the Bronze Bomber needs to beat Tyson Fury clearly to justify a place inside the top 10 here

EPA

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

In the mix: Tyson Fury

Like Joshua and Wilder before, with a legitimate case to be the No 1 heavyweight in the world, Fury is just on the outside of our top 10 - if he manages to comprehensively beat Wilder - staying away from that big right hand for the full 12 rounds - he will be the first of the trio to leap back inside the top 10

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Josh Taylor (16-0)

Josh Taylor's win over Regis Prograis to win the WBSS at 140 pounds was a massive statement - he'll need to become the undisputed light welterweight champion by beating Jose Ramirez to make his place inside the top 10 indisputable

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Miguel Berchelt (37-1)

Miguel Berchelt smashed Jose Sosa to pieces inside four rounds to defend his WBC super featherweight title - now 37-1 and undefeated since 2014 with 16 consecutive wins and six straight defences

AFP via Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

10. Juan Francisco Estrada (39-3-0)

The two-weight world champion grabbed the lineal super flyweight title against Sor Rungvisai to snatch his pound-for-pound status and the WBC gold.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

9. Mikey Garcia (39-1-0)

Despite coming up short against Errol Spence in their welterweight bout, Garcia is still a modern great as a four-weight world champion.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

8. Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1)

Despite suffering the first loss of his career against Canelo Alvarez, Golovkin's stellar career keeps him in our rankings. The boxing legend is now a two-time world champion.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

7. Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2)

The Filipino looked sensational to outpoint Keith Thurman, flooring the American and rolling back the years at 40 years old to confirm himself as the No 3 welterweight in the world at worst. Considering the illustrious names on his resume, a place inside the top 10 pound-for-pound list and a world class win this year confirms his place here.

AP

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

6. Errol Spence (26-0-0)

Spence beat Shawn Porter to unify the welterweight division as he goes in search of more belts. Danny Garcia looks set to be next.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

5. Oleksandr Usyk (17-0-0)

The undisputed, undefeated, unified cruiserweight world champion has successfully moved up in weight, beating Chazz Witherspoon on his heavyweight debut.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

4. Naoya Inoue (19-0-0)

The man nicknamed the 'monster' beat Nonito Donaire to win the World Boxing Super Series and move to 19-0 after a hard fought battle.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

3. Terence Crawford (35-0-0)

Another three-weight world champion, Crawford enters our top three and reaffirmed his place as one of the sport's greats after a knockout win against Amir Khan.

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February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

2. Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2)

One loss and a whole heap of controversy but Canelo's record is one to be celebrated, a now four-weight world champion and still not even 30 years of age. The biggest star in the sport and an impressive KO win of Sergey Kovalev cements his standing, arguably has a claim to the throne, but he just misses out here.

USA TODAY Sports

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

1. Vasyl Lomachenko (14-1-0)

There can only be one. The king of the amateur game has stepped up to become the king of the professionals. Just 15 fights into his career and despite one career defeat, the current unified lightweight world champion sets records for days. Loma won a world title in his third fight, became a two-weight champion in his seventh, and a three-weight champion in his twelfth fight. The king. Less magic against a brave Luke Campbell, but more brutality, slashing body shots and exquisite balance and movement. Who's next? Commey, Lopez, Davis?

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What time is the ring walk and when will the fight start?

As this one is in Vegas, expect it to be no earlier than 4.30am – possibly even 5am. Make sure you’re sitting down around 4am with a hot cup of your favourite beverage to witness the fighters take that famous walk to the ring.

When and where is the fight?

The fight takes place on July 20 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, with UK viewers forced to push through sleep deprivation for one of the final glimpses of the legendary Filipino.

Are there still tickets available?

Yes, you can find tickets still with such outlets as AXS. But be warned, they will not come cheap, with the cheapest set at $200.

What TV channel will it be on?

The fight will be broadcast on ITV Box Office and is priced at £12.95 for UK viewers and €14.95 in Ireland. The broadcast is available on Sky and Virgin.

Pacquiao and Thurman clash on July 20 (AP)

Is there a live stream?

Yes, you can stream the fight live on ITV Box Office’s broadcast through FITE - see list of countries available here, including the UK and Ireland.

Prediction

Thurman should be fresher, now he’s shaken off the cobwebs after a sluggish return from his hiatus. Particularly against the 40-year-old Pacquiao, yet the Filipino’s hand speed remains capable of freezing opponents. The blurring combinations against the American, who has been known to circle the perimeter of the ring against the likes of Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia, should be enough to impress the judges.

We’re going with a points victory for Pacquiao, to further underline his greatness to navigate one of the better campaigners in the division over the last decade, even if his prime has long since deserted him.

Odds

Thurman 6/5 (TKO/KO/DQ: 5/1. Decision: 15/8)

Draw 20/1

Pacquiao 4/5 (TKO/KO/DQ: 4/1. Decision: 13/8)

What’s at stake, what are their records?

Pacquiao is set for his 70th fight and enters with a record of 61 wins (39 by way of knockout), seven losses (three by knockout) and two draws. Thurman, meanwhile, is far less experienced, yet undefeated and perfect in 29 contests, winning all of them with 22 knockouts.

This fight will decide the WBA super world welterweight title, after Pacquiao captured the regular belt after knocking out Lucas Matthysse and defending it against Adrien Broner.

The winner will likely lay claim to be the king at 147 pounds, despite two elite world champions standing in their way in Crawford and Spence Jr. Either fighter against the winner here would immediately become one of the top three fights in the sport.

The winner will also sneak into some people’s top 10 pound-for-pound rankings – particularly Pacquiao given his resume in the years prior to his brief slump.

What is the full fight schedule?

Keith Thurman vs Manny Pacquiao

Yordenis Ugas vs Omar Figueroa Jr

Sergey Lipinets vs John Molina Jr

Luis Nery vs Juan Carlos Payano

Caleb Plant vs Mike Lee

Efe Ajagba vs Ali Eren Demirezen

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