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‘You’ve got to be careful with Manny Pacquiao…’ Icon reveals why you need to be worried when boxing the superstar

Originally posted on Bloody Knockout | By Ross Markey | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 2:04 PM ET

A former foe of Manny Pacquiao has hit out at the Filipino puncher amid links to a potential rematch later this year — slapping him with some sizeable accusations.

Making his return to the ring following a four-year hiatus last month, Manny Pacquiao went the distance with Mario Barrios in his pursuit of the WBC welterweight champion.

And forcing a majority decision draw against the defending titleholder, Pacquiao was praised for his performance despite his lengthy hiatus from the ring, even while failing to return to winning ways.

But the last foe to suffer a defeat to Pacquiao has weighed in on a long-mooted rematch with the Filipino striker — a re-run he is cautious about taking.

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Manny Pacquiao accused of judging his own fights in the ring

In his most recent career victory — over six years ago, Pacquiao would land the WBA super welterweight championship.

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Securing a split decision win over Keith Thurman to hand the Floridian his single professional boxing loss, Pacquiao has been linked to a rematch with the former — as well as a host of other ventures in the ring later this year.

But if Thurman is to rematch Pacquiao in the future, the Clearwater native admitted he will be much more cautious this time around, hitting out at the Filipino for allegedly calling a host of fouls in his favor during his career.

“Manny Pacquiao is his own referee,” Thurman told YSM Sports Media. “I don’t know how much you know about Manny Pacquiao’s history. He calls for breaks, he calls his own low blows.

“He’ll deduct a point from you when he wants to, so you gotta be careful with Manny Pacquiao being his own judge in there,” Thurman explained.

But failing to rule out a rematch with Pacquiao, Thurman confirmed his plans to make a return to the ring in the imminent future.

Keith Thurman welcomes Manny Pacquiao rematch nonetheless

Snapping his own three-year layoff earlier this year, Thurman would stop Brook Jarvis with a third round knockout, turning in his second consecutive win after a decision victory against the above-mentioned Barrios.

And despite voicing his claims about Pacquiao’s alleged tactics in the ring, Thurman expressed an interest in fighting the former again — potentially as soon as this year.