That was the first thing he mentioned. Thurman’s honesty about the “good payday” is refreshing, if a little blunt. It’s rare to hear a fighter put the check in front of the belt in the very first sentence, but at this stage of his career, especially coming off such a long layoff, that’s the most realistic part of the equation.
He went on to call it a “redemption fight” and said it was “tempting,” adding that he would likely take the fight if offered.
Thurman is currently focusing on 154 lbs against Sebastian Fundora. Pacquiao was a small welterweight even in his prime. Seeing a 47-year-old Manny jump to junior middleweight for a redemption arc seems like a massive physical ask.
If Thurman doesn’t get past the “Towering Inferno” this weekend, the Pacquiao talk will likely evaporate. A loss to Fundora would make a “redemption” fight with a retired legend a much harder sell to the public.
Both guys fight the bell. Thurman has been inactive for long periods of time, and Manny hasn’t been in a professional ring in years.
The two met in 2019, when Pacquiao dropped Thurman early and won a decision in what became the only loss of Thurman’s career. The result stuck with him, but the way he now talks about a rematch is different.
It’s interesting that the 2019 loss is still eating at him. That early beating changed the entire trajectory of his career and arguably took away his “invincible” aura. It’s natural to have that back, but doing it against a 47-year-old version of the man who took it might not give him the closure he thinks it will.
“I really don’t know what’s next after this. There are so many possibilities,” Thurman said.
Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) returns this weekend against Fundora, with a title at 154 on the line. A win would give him something current to point to when bigger fights open up again.
Pacquiao hasn’t fought since 2021 and has spent recent years outside the ring, but his name still sells a fight and still attracts attention.
Thurman didn’t avoid that part of it. He said what he said right away, and that tends to be what people remember.
