Manny Pacquiao's trainer launches a scathing attack on Keith Thurman while predicting a KO win but Dan Birmingham, Thurman's trainer, is also guaranteeing victory Saturday, July 20, on FOX PPV.
Hall of Fame Trainer - Freddie Roach
Trainers typically sing the praises of their fighters in the weeks and days before a big fight. The trainers of Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman, who collide on Saturday, July 20 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (PBC on FOX PPV, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. ET), certainly didn’t hold back on The PBC Podcast this week.
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s longtime trainer, declared that WBA Super World Welterweight Champion Keith Thurman isn’t as good as many believe and will be knocked out by Pacquiao. He said Adrien Broner, Pacquiao’s last opponent, who Manny beat by unanimous decision, is better than Thurman.
Meanwhile, Birmingham said that Thurman is 100 percent healthy and promised that we’ll see the best version of him on July 20.
Here are just a few of their comments during fascinating interviews with hosts Kenneth Bouhairie and Michael Rosenthal.
Roach’s assessment of Thurman: “This is going to be a little bit too easy. … We’ll have Errol Spence or one of those bigger guys (next) and that will be the defining fight. …
“I think Manny dominates with his speed and power. I just love Manny in this fight. And I don’t think Thurman is that good a fighter. I’m not a big fan.”
Roach on the possibility of a knockout: “Thurman, I think we’ll get him. I think we will stop him somewhere along the away. Manny has that fire back. I love when I see that fire in him.”
Yes, Roach is confident. So is Birmingham.
Birmingham on the health of Thurman, who is coming back from injuries: “Keith is finally 100 percent healthy. There isn’t anything at all wrong with him this fight. So he’s ready to go.”
Birmingham’s assessment of Thurman’s current form: “I think he’s going to be the best you’ve ever seen him, I really do. … Mainly because he’s so mentally strong and everything has healed now.”
Birmingham on how he thinks the fight will unfold: “We’re going to break him down to the body. We’re going to hit him to body, we’re going to get him into the corners and along the ropes and we’re going to take it to him.”
Tune into the podcast to hear the rest of what they had to say and our reaction to their opinions.
Plus, Kenneth and Mike break down another welterweight rumble, the world title eliminator between Jamal James and former world champion Antonio DeMarco, taking place this Saturday, July 13 at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota, live on PBC on FS1 (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT).
That and much more on this week’s episode of The PBC Podcast!
