After the wild and crazy NBA Free Agency and the amazing Women’s World Cup victory of the U.S. women’s soccer team, another event hogging international sports headlines this summer is the much anticipated “welterweight supremacy” fight between undefeated WBA super welterweight champion Keith Thurman and WBA regular welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, the only eight-division world boxing champion in history.
 
The fight is slated for Saturday, July 20, Pacific, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Once again, ABS-CBN TFC reinforces itself as a key player in the pay-per-view landscape when it acquired the exclusive broadcast rights to the Pacquiao-Thurman fight in the Middle East and North Africa.  The PPV event will be carried on TFC live on various platforms in the region on Sunday, July 21, 4AM in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and 5AM in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Fans in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the fight on the following authorized distribution platforms: ONLINE: TFC Online (www.tfc.tv), OSN Play, and WAVO; DTH/Satellite: OSN; Cable: E-Life/ E-vision (UAE) and Ooredoo/ Mozaic TV (Qatar).
 
Since 2006, starting with the unforgettable Pacquiao-Morales super featherweight championship fight, ABS-CBN TFC has been at the ringside of major boxing events, bringing the biggest fights of Pacquiao’s legendary career to the homes of Filipinos and boxing fans in the region.
 
“The Philippines is recognized as one of the world’s top boxing nations in terms of talent and fans,” said ABS-CBN Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Managing Director Arnie Garcia. “It is integral to our service DNA to make sure that Filipino boxing fans in our region get access to world-class boxing entertainment from the comfort of their homes and on whatever device or authorized platform they watch TFC.”
 
At the same time, ABS-CBN AVP of Global Anti-Piracy and Content Security Elisha Lawrence cautioned against piracy. “We will go after each and every site that tries to provide illegal access to the Pacquiao-Thurman fight,” she said. “I urge viewers to protect yourselves and your families from free sites and free streaming sites.  These are littered with malware.  Don’t pay a high price for ‘free’ sites.”
 
THE HEAT IS ON: BOLD TO BOASTFUL PREDICTIONS
 
Today, International Business Times interviewed two analysts who predicted that the Pacquiao-Thurman fight will not last the distance.
 
Filipino fight analyst Ed Tolentino said that the “fight would end within ten rounds.”  Boxing journalist Nissi Icasiano said that Thurman has the size and reach advantage against Pacquiao that could negate Pacquiao’s offense.
 
Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette wrote that “if Thurman lands with accuracy, it could be Pacquiao who collects the eighth loss of his mostly glittering career.”
 
How about former boxing legends and current champions?  Boxing Scene interviewed 46 experts: 24 chose Pacquiao, 19 picked Thurman, and three called it a draw.
 
The likes of Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Roy Jones, Jr., Shane Mosley and Shawn Porter all picked Pacquiao to win by decision.  Sugar Ray Leonard, Deontay Wilder, Paulie Malignaggi, Errol Spence, Jr. and Andre Berto picked Thurman to win by decision or TKO.
 
The boldest and most boastful prediction came from Thurman himself.  He has claimed to The National: “When Keith Thurman fights Manny Pacquiao… Keith Thurman is the new Manny Pacquiao.  I’m the most exciting fighter in the welterweight division today.”
 
From Tampa Bay Times, Thurman also said: “He’s (Pacquiao) a legend. I get the last remaining legend. He’s like a dodo bird. He’s like a dinosaur. He might be old, but he’s not extinct. That’s my job, make him extinct.”
 
Fortunately or unfortunately, these are statements from the man who also claims that the Apollo 11 moon landing never happened. 
 
For more info on the Pacquiao-Thurman fight in the Middle East, visit TFC EMEA.
   
MEDIA CONTACT:
 
NERISSA M. FERNANDEZ
Global Head, Corporate Affairs & PR, ABS-CBN Global
Regional Head, Corporate Affairs & PR, ABS-CBN International (North & Latin America)
2001 Junipero Serra Blvd., Ste 200
Daly City, CA 94014
OFFICE: 650-508-6032
MOBILE: 650-455-8616
nerissa_fernandez@abs-cbn.com
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