Manny Pacquiao vs Keith Thurman fight result: Filipino blitzes American to roll back the years and clinch WBA world welterweight title

The Filipino produced a vintage display to improve his legacy at 40 years of age

Manny Pacquiao dazzled to roll back the years against Keith Thurman and capture the WBA super world welterweight title on a split decision.

Pacquiao, no stranger to controversial decisions, briefly experienced a sense of deja-vu when the initial scorecard was read out in favour of Thurman: 114-113. But two more, both 115-112, handed the deserved win to the rejuvenated veteran.

A whirlwind start to the fight saw Thurman spiral out of control as the darting, jumping assaults from a fighter thought to be lost years ago caught him off guard.

A right downstairs left his chin naked and Pacquiao sliced through the disorganised American with a clipping right that sent his opponent tumbling.

This was vintage Pacquiao and even he was somewhat surprised to witness it after a hiatus: an Ali shuffle put a bow on the second round as he revelled in the moment.

The fire was in the Filipino’s belly now and he continued to rage in the third, bashing his head with his gloves, enticing Thurman to trade.

Pacquiao then targeted Thurman’s body, which has previously been flagged as fragile. Resigned to his predicament, Thurman embraced a more aggressive approach in the fifth, delivering shots in bunches and proving his credentials as a champion before his own extended hiatus through injuries until this year.

The brief success was soon shredded by Pacquiao’s relentless pressure though, which forced a grimace from Thurman as he trudged back to his corner after the fifth, blood pouring from his nose.

Retreat was not in Thurman's mindset though and he was rewarded with spells of success and his best round to that point in the sixth. The senator appeared to be feeling his age at 40 year old, with Thurman suddenly buzzing and mimicking the fresher, vibrant Pacquiao that was shot out of a cannon at that first bell.

Thurman struggled with the speed of Pacquiao (AP)

Some smart counter rights from Thurman began to emerge as the eye-catching shots of the fight, which meandered towards the championship rounds. Pacquiao absorbed those shots without revealing as much as a scowl, yet the sweat bounced off his head to reveal the full force of the impact, only adding to the wonder of his display.

Thurman was suddenly left limping around the ring in agony again as Pacquiao slashed at his body, seemingly on the brink of forcing a stoppage. Yet the champion lunged in with desperate counters that whistled past the veteran’s ears.

Thurman’s team appeared to transmit the message that a knockout was needed heading into the 12th and as his character would suggest, he vigorously pursued it.

Yet Pacquiao ducked in and out of range and then flipped the pressure to force Thurman back once more. The Vegas crowd chanted with glee as this more vulnerable Pacquiao continued to fend off Thurman’s assaults with his own: the best form of defence is offence in the twilight of such a glittering career.

Pacquiao celebrates his victory over Thurman (AP)

Amir Khan had claimed a fight with Pacquiao in November has been finalised to take place in Saudi Arabia, but Pacquiao could yet meet the winner from the welterweight unification bout between Errol Spence Jr and Shawn Porter, whenever that may be. Some may prefer the Khan route, given the desire to go out in a blaze of glory against the more vulnerable Brit.

But one baffling scorecard aside, this was a throwback to one of the most scintillating athletes of the modern era. Just appreciate what he once was, as that might well be it, in that devastating form at least.

Political duties could keep him back in the Philippines and out of the ring until 2020, but for one night only, Pacquiao offered up a version of his glorious self.