Keith Thurman has revealed Manny Pacquiao was full of praise for his efforts after their world title fight.
Pacquiao dropped Thurman in the opening round before winning by split decision after 12 rounds.
And the Filipino legend spoke to the beaten man's dad after the fight.
"He gave my father respect after the fight, he said your boy can punch really hard," Thurman told FOX Sports.
The American suffered his first professional defeat in Las Vegas last month - and he as left to rue the knockdown.
"I thought I did everything I wanted to do until I took a step back in the first round and he knocked me down," he said.
"I'm a little disappointed; I was being very aggressive but then I took a step back and relaxed for one moment.
"As I'm moving backwards, he caught me, and with the backwards motion and the shot he landed, I had to go down.
"I thought let's get up and show Manny Pacquiao that this isn't going to be as easy as he thinks.
"I didn't see myself being in that situation and i just laughed it off. It was a mistake; boxers know, coaches know, [walking back straight] is not good for your balance.
"He just threw the right punch at the right time."
Thurman has called for a rematch after one judge gave him the nod, and he admitted the 40-year-old Pacquiao took him by surprise.
"What surprised me the most was his poise, which shows how much of a legendary champion he is, and how much he kept his hands up which shows he respect my power.
"He knew he needed to utilise his defence; he kept his hands up and I don't think thats a normal posture we see from Pacquiao."
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