Pacquiao vs. Thurman Update: GGG Says Filipino Boxer Should Be Careful With Thurman

Premiere middleweight boxer and former champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin believes that Manny Pacquiao should be careful with his upcoming opponent Keith Thurman.

Over a week ago, the boxing world was stunned with Andy Ruiz Jr.’s upset knockout win against former heavyweight title holder Anthony Joshua. With the Ruiz effect still in the air, the media has taken the chance to gather insights from multiple professional boxers.

In relation to this, at some point during an interview by Sports Illustrated, Kazakh boxing superstar Gennady Golovkin a.k.a “GGG” was asked if Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao should be careful not to end up like Joshua in his next fight against a much younger opponent Keith Thurman.

Golovkin confirmed that Pacman should be very careful and in a friendly manner, advised the eight-division title holder that it takes only “one punch” to change not only a career but also a life. The statement of Golovkin strongly suggests that it is not impossible nowadays to see a champion or even a legend get knocked out by a nobody or a fighter not in their caliber.

Prior to being asked about Pacquiao, GGG first mentioned his similarity with the Filipino legend in terms of experience in boxing and statutory as a boxer. Golovkin stated that he and Manny are quite the same as they are both veterans and is a bit aged for a young man’s sport. But Golovkin fired back and explained that even at 37, he can still compete and he is stil in good shape just like Manny.

Needless to say, it appears that GGG is impressed with Pacquiao over the years. In a past interview a few years ago, Golovkin had once told the media when he paid Pacquiao a visit that Pacquiao was too fast.

Pacquiao on his part, also once commended the skills of Golovkin during the time when the first Canelo vs. GGG fight was approaching. Pacman even compared it to the then hot topic Mayweather vs. McGregor and said that it is far from a real fight, Fight Sports reported.

“The real fight and the best fight is [Gennady] Golovkin vs. Canelo [Alvarez], the best vs. the best. That’s the fight I will be watching," Pacquiao revealed.

Golovkin and Pacquiao never got the chance to share the boxing ring together during their prime days, and not even during their veteran days as pros.

As per Golovkin, he wants to fight the best and he knows that Pacquiao is one of them thus far. Given that both fighters are still active, there is still a possibility that the two of them may face each other in the future.