Manny Pacquiao’s Aussie trainer, Justin Fortune, gives Tim Tszyu a warning ahead of Keith Thurman clash

Keith Thurman’s performance against Manny Pacquiao could be cause for concern according to one boxing veteran.

Manny Pacquiao’s longtime trainer, Aussie Justin Fortune, says Tim Tszyu could be in for a brutal Las Vegas introduction if Keith Thurman can rediscover the form that saw him nearly topple ‘Pacman’ in 2019.

The former heavyweight boxer, who fought Lennox Lewis in 1995, is a fixture of Pacquiao’s training camps and was in the legendary boxer’s corner for some of the biggest fights in boxing history, including his ‘Fight of the Century’ against Floyd Mayweather.

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The heavy pre-fight favourite against Thurman, Pacquiao scored an early knockdown, but was made to dig deep for the win.

Fortune had the best seat in the house that night, and although he’s backing Tszyu to beat Thurman on March 30 (March 13 in Australia), he says ‘One Time’ could cause the Soul Taker troubles.

Especially if he’s well prepared as he was for the Pacquiao fight.

Aussie trainer, Justin Fortune, poses with Manny Pacquiao in 2021. Picture: JP Yim/Getty Images

“Oh hell yeah,” Fortune said when asked whether the version of Thurman that fought Pacquiao could beat Tszyu.

“The Keith Thurman that fought Manny beats anyone out there.

“We prepared for Keith Thurman, and when we dropped him, it was a shock to him. But then he got up and fought like a mother*****r.

“We were like, ‘S***!’.

“They both had to dig deep, Manny had to dig really deep, but it was a good fight.”

Pacquiao (R) didn’t have it all his own way against Keith Thurman (L). Picture: Kohjiro Kinno /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

Still, Fortune – who has been training fighters from his famous Los Angeles gym for more than 15 years – believes the Aussie will be too much for Thurman, who hasn’t fought in two years.

“Keith’s a 147 pounder – an unbelievable fighter at 47 – but the fight’s at 155, and by the time he fights, Tim will be 165,” he said. “That’s a big guy.

“Tim’s big, strong and younger.

“Boxing’s got skills levels to it, but he’s the stronger guy and power wins. Simple as that. It’s in life and in nature: the stronger and more powerful win.

“By the time they fight, Keith’s two divisions out of his league, and that’s a whole different animal.

“Tim’s young, he comes forward and he’s not going to give you one second to breathe.

“Two years out for Thurman as well. But, the best Keith Thurman you saw was when he fought Manny Pacquiao. That guy was the best Keith Thurman we’d ever seen – what a fight.”

Fortune (black hat) with Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach (blue headband), ahead of Pacman’s blockbuster with Floyd Mayweather. Picture: Simon Bruty /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Tszyu was actually drafted into Pacquiao’s camp to help the Filipino prepare for Thurman.

Still early in his development at the time, Tszyu had only headlined one pay-per-view by the time Pacquiao fought Thurman, but gained valuable experience from the training camp.

Fortune, who was in the room for all of those sparring sessions, remained tight-lipped about how they went.

“Manny’s Manny and Tim showed respect,” he said. “They were good sessions, no one beat anyone up.

“Pacquiao will spar to the level of his sparring partner. If you want to put it on Manny, that’s a big mistake.

“He’d beat the shit out of you. He’ll go to your level, but if you get too cocky, he’ll bring you back down to Earth.

“I’ve seen that a few times with Pacquiao.”

Tszyu poses in front of T-Mobile Arena in las Vegas ahead of his bout with Thurman. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Over the years, Fortune has seen a who’s who of Aussie fighters try to crack the US market.

Recently he has been impressed by Liam Paro and the Moloney twins – Jason and Andrew – and says Tszyu could make a huge mark Stateside.

Especially with longtime rival Jermell Charlo unlikely to fight him.

“This would be his best,” Fortune said. “If he beats Keith, and I think he does, this would be the transition to America.

“This puts him on the map and puts his name right up there.

“Last time he was in America, he beat (Terrell) Gausha, but if you beat Keith Thurman, that’s a name, and that puts you on the map.

“Charlo – I think they’ve been avoiding Tim. He looked like shit in his last fight. Tim beats that version of Charlo.

“Tim’s the most exciting thing out there at the moment.”

Originally published as Manny Pacquiao’s Aussie trainer, Justin Fortune, gives Tim Tszyu a warning ahead of Keith Thurman clash