In this video interview caught by Fight Hub TV, former welterweight champion Danny Garcia talks about this weekend’s big fight between Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman. Check out some excerpts below as he breaks down his thoughts on the fight...
Garcia on the Pacquiao-Thurman fight:
“Pac Man hasn’t fought a young guy like this in a long time, in his prime. So that’s always dangerous. Like he’s been matched up really good like throughout his career, like even when he fought Cotto it was a catchweight, you know. So this is a dangerous fight for Pac Man. Like I said, this is a dangerous fight for him but it’s also a good fight because his style matches up good with Thurman.”
On if he thinks it will be important for Thurman to keep his back off the ropes in this fight:
“Yeah, definitely he has to stay off the ropes. I’d like to see him keep the fight in the middle and I’d like to see him walk to Manny, take it to him...’cause I think if he does that lateral movement then I think Pacquiao’s gonna cut the ring and get him, you know, get off on him.”
On being caught by a good shot by Thurman early and what he thinks will happen if Thurman lands a shot like that against Pacquiao:
“It’s a good question. Manny, um, he seems to have a pretty good chin. But he has been knocked down by Marquez with overhand rights. I think it’s a possibility that Thurman can drop him in the first four rounds. But I think if Thurman doesn’t drop him in the first four rounds there’s not gonna be no knockdowns.”
On if Thurman had the best power of any other fighter he’s faced before:
“No, it was a strong punch, it was a clean punch. I was more out of position, though. It wasn’t like a clean one right on my chin — I threw a hook and he threw a right hand over it so I was kinda leaning back anyway. It didn’t buckle my legs or nothing but I’ve been hit with harder punches than that before, but that was a good shot.”
On if he thinks Thurman will be able to time Pacquiao’s in-and-out movement:
“I don’t think Thurman has that good of timing. He swings wild. He’s a wild swinger. I seen everything. But he is good at fighting southpaws and so, interesting matchup. You know, I think Thurman’s the younger, stronger fighter but the style — it’s a good style for Pac Man and I think that’s why the fight’s gonna be an interesting fight.”
On if he expects Thurman and Pacquiao to trade early:
“I would like to see Thurman go at him. I’d like to see Thurman go at the older fighter. What’s the point of boxing when you’re the younger fighter where you can just walk him down and just try to hurt him. You’re the bigger, stronger guy. I think if he does that — like he came at me in the first couple rounds. I think if he does that to Manny Pacquiao he has a good chance of hurting him. But if he boxes how he usually does then I think Manny Pacquiao is good at cutting the ring and using his angles and landing that left hand. So, it’s a good fight because Thurman moves good and Pacquiao’s good at cutting the ring real good.”
On how much he thinks Thurman has regressed since his injuries:
“He definitely looked suspect his last fight. You know, he definitely looked suspect his last fight. So we don’t know.”
On if Thurman isn’t really that fast since he said he saw his punches coming in their fight:
“Yeah, I seen everything coming. He punches really wide but — it’s wide but it’s fast. So it’s wide, you can see it, but it’s a lil fast. But I think just because of the styles it’s like an even matchup. Even though Thurman’s the younger fighter, and stronger fighter, I just feel like yeah, it’s definitely an even fight because of that. I see the fight ending in like a split decision or like a majority decision.”
On comparing Thurman’s footwork to Pacquiao’s:
“Thurman’s more lateral movement. Pac Man is more bouncy and in-and-out, feinting like four times before he comes in. So I would say they both got pretty good footwork but Manny probably has the overall better footwork.”
On who he favors to win the fight:
“I think it’s a close fight, I think it’s an even matchup. Like I said before, I think it could end either way in a split decision or a majority decision. I really feel like if it goes to the decision, I think they’re gonna give it to Pac Man if it goes to the decision but me, I can see Thurman winning.”