By Adrian Stewart Co

Senator Manny Pacquaio bagged the World Boxing Association super welterweight title yesterday morning (PHT) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States following a split decision win over American fighter Keith Thurman. The judges scored the bout 113-114, 115-112, 115-112.
While Thurman landed some punches early in the opening round, Pacquiao connected on a combination and sent his American opponent to the canvas. Throughout the succeeding rounds, the senator kept his edge after landing consecutive body shots. By the fourth round, Thurman tried to comeback but Pacquiao continued to unload body jabs.
The American took advantage of a visibly-tired Pacquiao beginning in the fifth; however, by the eighth round, the Filipino managed to connect on a couple power hits. Thurman then grew aggressive in the ninth as he sent Pacquiao to the ropes but it was not enough to inflict damage as the Pinoy fighter opened the 10th with combinations before stunning his opponent with a solid left to the body.
Pacquiao and Thurman both connected minimal hits in the 11th round but the Filipino had an advantage with power hits. Thurman tried to be forceful in the 12th but Pacquiao managed to evade his wayward hits.
The 40-year-old Pacquiao improved to a 62-7-2 win-loss-draw record, including 39 stoppage wins; while Thurman suffered his first defeat, dropping to a 29-1-0 record, with 22 knockout wins./ASC, WDJ