LAS VEGAS – Keith Thurman stepped inside MGM’s main press center Friday and took centerstage.
He was shouting instructions for Yordenis Ugas to follow in the Cuban’s fight against Manny Pacquiao Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena.
Thurman enjoys the right because he has fought Pacquiao. He went down in the first round but held on strong the rest of the way and lost on points.
That was two years ago.
“I love his tricky uppercut,” said Thurman, who admitted that Pacquiao is such a difficult fighter to deal with inside the ring.
“Pacquiao has been to everything – everything a fighter can go through. From being knocked out to winning all these world titles to always being this small guy at 147,” he said.
“So, can you ever make him feel uncomfortable? Step on his foot Ugas! Step on his foot! All I’m saying is how do you make this guy feel uncomfortable?” Thurman added.
Seriously, the 32-year-old American thinks that Pacquiao, who is a decade older, took some damage fighting him.
“He’s a legend among legends but it’s been two years after his performance with me and he did take damage in that fight,” he said.
Everybody listened.
“What’s going to happen two years later? I’ve never seen Ugas fatigued in a 12-round fight. That’s one of his strong points,” he said.
However, the 22-1 fighter said it’s Pacquiao’s angles that kept him guessing for 12 rounds, and that Ugas, with a longer reach, may have the answer.
“When he (Pacquiao) punches and docks, I don’t have a punch for that. I think Ugas may have a punch for that. If he can get into his uppercuts and make that his go-to punch he may be able to do something,” Thurman, dressed like a billionaire, said.
The pride of Clearwater in Florida also advised Ugas to go for the body as soon as he could.
“Start from round one. If he (Pacquiao) faded on me two years ago he’s most likely gonna fade on you. We all know the philosophy with body shots. You chop at the tree. If he’s able to do that…” he said.
Thurman went down early against Pacquiao, taking a straight to the body and a hit to the jaw as he backpedaled.
“So, he (Ugas) has to do his best to stay solid and not get out of position,” Thurman said.
Thurman seemed to know everything needed to be done against Pacquiao.
He just couldn’t do it.