Manny Pacquiao is very confident in his ability to end his upcoming fight by knockout.

Pacquiao is scheduled to return on Saturday night, when he faces WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The bout will be showcased on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View.

Thurman has told reporters that he plans to end the career of the eight division world champion.

Thurman has been telling everyone that he plans to stop Pacquiao inside the distance - even going as far as to get on himself to get a knockout in one round.

But Pacquiao admits the contest is likely going to end inside the distance.

“There is a big percentage that this fight will not go 12 rounds.  That is not a prediction, just my analysis.  If he goes toe-to-toe with me that will be lovely.  It will make it a shorter fight.” said Pacquiao.

“Keith Thurman is a good fighter.  His record shows that.  His record also shows who he has fought.  His era of opposition is a lot different than mine.  The difference between the mentality of my era compared to Keith Thurman’s is I have a strong passion for the sport of boxing and he seems to have other interests.  I still have something to prove at age forty.

"This is not about my legacy.  It is about adding an important milestone to my résumé.  It is about proving that at forty I can still fight anyone, that I am still relevant in boxing.  I have pushed myself to the limit in training camp and I am prepared to push myself to the limit on July 20.  Keith Thurman has talked a good game.  We will see how far he is willing to push himself on Saturday night.”