Pacquiao spar mate, ex-foe warns Thurman about complacency

By Kevin Sox

Buboy Fernandez, chief trainer of multi-titled world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has backed the comments of former Pacquiao sparring mate Shawn Porter and former opponent Chris Algieri ahead of the Filipino superstar’s clash with WBA welterweight super champion Keith Thurman.

Citing recent statements made by both Porter and Algieri, Fernandez said Thurman should focus on other aspects of the fight, rather than continuing to play mind games and spit ambitious statements.

“Manny is quick to pick up,” said Fernandez to an online source, adding that Pacquiao is about at “60 percent” ready.

“I agree with the comments of (Shawn) Porter and (Chris) Algieri. According to Porter, age is just a number and Thurman shouldn’t focus on Manny’s age and instead think of ways to run away from him when they fight. According to Algieri, Thurman should forget about Manny’s age and work on not getting hit.”

Porter is the WBC welterweight champion. He has worked extensively with Pacquiao in the past.

In 2016, Porter engaged in a toe to toe fight against Thurman, but the latter prevailed in a close unanimous decision wherein all three judges scored the bout 115-113.

However, experts considered the win undominant for a knockout artist like Thurman.

Algieri lost in a lopsided decision to Pacquiao, getting floored six times throughout the twelve-round bout.

Thurman earlier stated that he would retire Pacquiao in their July 20 Las Vegas pay-per-view fight, mentioning a new era in boxing is coming.