Manny Pacquiao beats Keith Thurman by split decision following first-round knockdown

Continuing to revitalize his career, 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines defeated Keith Thurman of the U.S. by split-decision bout Saturday night in Las Vegas.

It was the third straight win for Pacquiao and 62nd victory of his career – and included a first-round knockdown of Thurman.

Thurman, 30, a native of Florida, had come into the match undefeated.

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Manny Pacquiao, right, lands a punch against Keith Thurman in the fifth round during a welterweight title fight Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

"It was fun," Pacquiao told the Associated Press afterward. "My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. He was strong. ... I think he did his best, and I did my best. I think we made the fans happy tonight because it was a good fight."

"I think we made the fans happy tonight because it was a good fight."

— Manny Pacquiao

Two of the evening's judges scored the bout 115-112 in favor of Pacquiao, while Glenn Feldman scored it 114-113 for Thurman. The Associated Press also scored it 115-112 for Pacquiao.

Both fighters came out punching in the first round -- then Pacquiao combined a left to the body and a right hook to send Thurman to the canvas 25 seconds before the bell.

But Thurman recovered and the fight went the distance before a sellout crowd.

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"I knew it was close," Thurman said about the scoring, according to the Associated Press. "He had the momentum because he got the knockdown in Round 1. ... I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe. My conditioning, my output was just behind Manny Pacquiao's tonight. Tonight was a blessing and a lesson."

After the decision, Thurman called for a rematch, and the crowd cheered in approval.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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