Manny Pacquiao defeated Keith Thurman in a split decision over 12 rounds at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, with the 40-year-old Pacquiao winning the WBA World Welterweight Title.
Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) opened the fight with a knockdown on Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) in Round 1, though it proved to be the only one in the fast-paced and closely scored fight. Per CBS, two judges scored the fight 115-112 for Pacquiao while a third had it 114-113 for Thurman. That made Pacquiao the oldest welterweight champion in history.
This image (below) is one the most stunning shots of the fight. Pacquiao delivered a blow that sent blood into the air, with Thurman doing his best to stay on his feet and counter.
After the fight, Pacquiao said he would not be fighting Amir Khan this year, despite Khan insisting they have scheduled a fight. Instead, Pacquiao will return to his senatorial duties in the Philippines, where he has caused controversy out of the boxing ring with anti-gay remarks.
While there was tension before the fight — with Thurman suggesting he wanted to “crucify” Pacquiao — the fighters were respectful of one another afterward.
This fight did not disappoint, with the conversation holding strong on Twitter in the aftermath of Pacquiao’s win.
