Thurman Betting On Himself… Literally

60-1. Those are the odds given on Wednesday for Keith Thurman knocking out Manny Pacquiao in either the first or the second round.

Keith Thurman, the undefeated WBA welterweight champion seems to like those odds and has decided to put his money where his mouth is.

Thurman, 30, will be betting on himself metaphorically and literally on Saturday as he will walk over to the MGM Grand sportsbook and lay some money down.

“Well, to be honest, we were waiting because so many people are betting Pacquiao,” Thurman said to Boxing Scene.

“So, we’re waiting. We believe that the odds are gonna keep being not in my favor, which is gonna allow me to really maximize my bets. So, I went to the bank today. We got the money ready, but we haven’t gotten the ticket yet. Because, you know, they’re still gonna shift. It’s not Friday night. All the fans aren’t here at the MGM yet. And, you know, them Asians have been getting it in. I think I’ve offended a lot more other Filipinos than I did Manny Pacquiao.”

“Oh, you know, we’re going for the overall victory,” Thurman told Boxing Scene of his betting plan. “And then we’re going for first-round knockout, second-round knockout and then, lucky-number-seven-round knockout. You know? At the end of the day, it’s a sport. I’m a winner in life. But to bet on myself for the opening rounds, it makes me do what I said earlier, which is swing, swing, swing, you know? I mean, you gotta swing to hit a home run. You can’t just sit there, and pump fake all day.

“So, I just wanna open up. I like to encourage myself. And, you know, in boxing, man, we really don’t have a knockout bonus, man. If ‘One Time’ Thurman gets a first-round knockout, somebody’s gotta pay me. So at least the MGM Grand can pay me, you know? It’s fun, it’s playful, but it’s a little bit a part of my strategy. I don’t recommend it for every fighter. Every fighter’s their own, but I like it.”

Initial Report: Boxing Scene