Pacquiao: I'm not Josesito, so I hope Thurman worked hard

By Miguel Rivera

Manny & # 39; Pacman & # 39; Pacquiao is very confident in the win at the next clash with Keith's One Time & # 39; Thurman.

At age 40, Pacquiao feels in excellent health and is said to be ready to erase any doubts about the level of his abilities at this stage of his career.

Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) and Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) will meet on July 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the WBA welterweight championship.

When the fight was announced for the first time, Thurman was the favorite of the bets, but the Filipino superstar was placed as favorite.

"There are a lot of people who doubt my abilities at 40, so I feel like I have something to prove, I'm always hungry, I always like to coach, boxing, I always do my best, "Pacquiao told ESPN Deportes.

"It's going to be an interesting fight, I'm not as focused on a fight as I am right now, his words have even made my mom angry, that's why I'm motivated and focused."

Pacquiao ruled out that at age 40 he feels old. In fact, he said that he felt better.

"The reality is that I did not notice my age, God blessed me with good health, I could keep fighting," Pacquiao said. "I feel more experienced, my style has not changed, but my timing, my intelligence, my foot movements, everything is better."

Pacquiao assured that he saw an opportunity to knock out Thurman, he would take advantage of it.

"If there is an opportunity (to knock him out), I will enjoy it," Pacquiao said. "Thurman has a style like Ricky Hatton's, but I will not take him lightly, he will come well prepared because he will not fight with (Josesito) López, he will fight with Manny Pacquiao, so I hope that he worked hard and reached 100 percent. "