Veteran Manny Pacquaio may be a decade older than upcoming opponent Keith Thurman - but he is confident he still has the edge when it comes to hand speed.
Pacquaio is entering his 71st professional fight against the much younger Thurman, who has an unblemished 29-0 record.
But the Filipino legend maintains a strict training regime and believes his athleticism and lightning reflexes can give him an advantage next weekend.
Pacquiao is aiming to win Thurman’s WBA super welterweight title having won the regular title against Lucas Matthysse last year and defended the belt against Adrian Broner by decision in January.
“I think what I saw in this fight is the speed, we know the fact that I’m faster than him,” Pacquiao said during FOX Sports’ “Face to Face” preview with Thurman.
“We know that.”
Thurman admits Pacquaio’s speed is a dangerous weapon - but he insists his own reflexes are underrated.
“I think my speed is underestimated,” Thurman said.
“I think Pacquiao is fast. But what makes him so fast is he’s relentless. This hand, that hand, bop, bop, bop, bop, bop. You know, and then the combination, you get to see it just continuously come out as fast as he can let ‘em fly.
“I don’t know if my combinations look that fast, but when I’m in the ring with people I know that I get right in between in those special moments. And it’s my speed that opens up other opportunities in that ring.”
Pacquaio opens up as firm favourite against Thurman at the MGM Grand after the champion looked lacklustre on his return to the ring following a lengthy lay-off against Josesito Lopez in January.
