Manny Pacquiao wins the WBA super welterweight crown after split-decision over Keith Thurman

After 12 rounds without knock-out, Manny Pacquiao won by a split decision from two referees with the score 115-112. The remaining referee scored 114-113 for Thurman. The result helped Pacquiao win WBA super welterweight crown for the first time in his career. Accepting defeat, Thurman called for a rematch and was enthusiastically cheered by MGM Grand audience.

Pacquiao also became the oldest fighter to win the super welterweight from one of the four major boxing associations (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO). This is the 62nd victory in the career of a 40-year-old boxer. He will still continue to be upstream in 2020.

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"The game is interesting." Pacquiao told AP. "Thurman is strong and has a good fighting spirit. Both tried their best in this match. Hope I have made the fans happy."

Thurman started the fight with two sliding punches. The drama came at the end of the first half after the American puncher hit the right hook. Pacquiao countered with his right-hand punches, causing Thurman to fall to the floor while backing away.

By the fifth round, Pacquiao continued to attack violently in the last seconds, causing blood to flow from the opponent's mouth and nose. After the end of the round, Thurman staggered back to his seat.

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The 30-year-old boxer unbeaten after 29 matches, before the match with Pacquiao. According to MMA fighting, Thurman won 10-9 in the ninth quarter to equalize the score 85-85. But, in the last three rounds, Pacquiao dominated with punches on the opponent's stomach and ribs. A slow-mo replay before the 11th half showed Thurman suffer a rib pain in the 10th round. At the last two rounds, Pacquiao had at least five punches hitting his opponent's old wound.

"Pacquiao has the advantage after my fall in the first half. Today, my punches are not as good as he is. This will be a lesson for me." - Thurman said.