Nepal’s son-in-law Thurman loses to Pacquiao

Kathmandu, July 21

Previously unbeaten and nicknamed One Time, American boxer Keith Thurman faced defeat at the hands of Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao in a closely-contested bout in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Pacquiao became the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history with the split-decision victory over the WBA champion Thurman in front of sell-out crowd of 14,356 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Two judges scored it 115-112 in favour of Pacquiao with the third scoring it 114-113 for Thurman.

The first round made all the difference as Pacquiao floored Thurman with an electrifying combination and that helped the Filipino remain on the front foot throughout the pulsating 12-round duel.

Although the bloodied Thurman rallied in the later rounds to narrow Pacquiao’s lead, the judges scored it in the Filipino’s favour.

Thurman, who married his Nepali girlfriend Priyana Thapa two years ago in Kathmandu, had few complaints in defeat, embracing Pacquiao after the final bell in recognition of an epic contest. “I knew it was too close,” Thurman told AFP. “He got the knockdown so he had momentum in round one. This was a beautiful night of boxing. I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe. I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience in the ring. I would love the rematch.”

Official statistics showed Pacquiao landed 195 of 686 punches thrown, while Thurman connected with 210 of 571. “My numbers just weren’t up to par to be victorious tonight. The fight just flew by. I knew I had to do something big in the later rounds but he was just too good,” said Thurman, who tied the nuptial knot with Thapa in 2017. The two fell in love after they met for the first time in Japan in 2016 and Thurman proposed to marry Thapa one year later.

During his visit in Kathmandu, Thurman had conducted a motivational session for local boxers assembled by Manohar Basnet, popularly known as ‘Max’ in boxing fraternity. “I had my first professional fight at the age of 18 and went on to win eight consecutive fights in first round knockouts. That’s the reason I was nicknamed One Time,” Thurman had told The Himalayan Times in an exclusive interview in 2017.

Basnet, who is in good terms with Thurman after the latter’s visit to Kathmandu, remembers the meeting with American boxer as one of the achievements of his career. “It was such a huge experience with Thurman in Kathmandu, for me as well the local boxers,” said Basnet. “I am in regular contact with Thurman and we are planning to do something for the development of professional boxing in Nepal,” said Basnet, who was glued to the TV set throughout the high-tempo bout.

“I enjoyed the bout thoroughly and was praying for Thurman’s victory.

But unfortunately he lost the bout by a narrow margin. I think the first round score made a huge impact in the final results,” said Basnet, founder of the Champ of the Champions — Nepal’s first professional boxing tournament.