A Former Opponent Once Confronted Manny Pacquiao for Naming His Dog After Him

Boxing battles are won inside the ring, but the real fights often go beyond the ropes and take unexpected, humorous turns. When Manny ‘PacMan’ Pacquiao, the legendary former eight-division world champion, meets his former opponent Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman, one would anticipate intense verbal sparring or at least a heated discussion about a potential rematch. Yet, their encounter unfolded in a way nobody could’ve predicted – a jovial interrogation about Pacquiao’s pet dog.

Yes, you read that right. In a twist that is as entertaining as it is perplexing, Thurman confronts Pacquiao about a four-legged creature with an uncanny connection to their past duel. Hold onto your hats, folks; this is not your ordinary boxing tale but a heartwarming reunion with a dash of canine comedy and, believe it or not, a dash of Filipino dog-naming culture. Curious?

Thurman had a playful query

In 2019, Pacquiao and Thurman clashed in a high-stakes boxing match that left fans on the edge of their seats. Against all odds, Pacquiao emerged victorious, claiming Thurman’s welterweight title. But the story didn’t end there. As an amusing memento of his triumph, Pacquiao named his new bulldog after Thurman. This unique token of victory became the center of an unexpected conversation between the two boxers years later.

As Pacquiao was preparing for a fight against Errol Spence Jr. in August 2021, a press conference provided Thurman, now an analyst, the chance to approach Pacquiao about his uniquely named pet. “See I need to know if Pacquiao still has a dog named Thurman,” Thurman said to the camera, signaling his intent to stir up some light-hearted fun amidst a usually serious setting.

With a cheeky smile, Thurman walked up to Pacquiao, patiently waiting for a break in the conversation. He then jumped in with his question, “That’s beautiful Manny, but I need to know, do you still have a dog named Thurman?”

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This unexpected query took Pacquiao by surprise, causing him to chuckle and shake Thurman’s hand in amusement. Undeterred by the laughter, Thurman pressed on, asking again, “Do you still got the dog?”

What followed was a warm exchange that transcended the rivalry the two had shared in the ring. Thurman shared that his doctor owned a dog named Manny. As it turned out, the doctor’s ex-husband, a Filipino, had named the dog after Pacquiao, and despite their divorce, the dog kept its name.

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Pacquiao responded with a playful quip, “I have a Thurman with me,” referring to his bulldog. The two boxing stars, once fierce opponents, burst into laughter and shook hands, showcasing a shared sense of humor and camaraderie.

The Pacquiao-Thurman interaction exhibits how their shared humor and mutual respect transcend their past rivalry. But what about you? If you had the chance, which famous personality would you name your pet after? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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