With Floyd Mayweather, JR Out of Boxing it’s Time for Keith “One Time” Thurman to Shine

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By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña

The WBA “Regular” Welterweight Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman, 26-0, 22 KO’s seems to be on a collision course for a November fight with Shawn “Showtime” Porter, 26-1-1, 16 KO’s

The undefeated Thurman last entered the ring in July, against the always tough Luis Collazo, 36-7, 19 KO’s. Collazo who had blood pouring from a cut into his right eye after round 7 said he could not see out of his eye, so the fight was stopped one second into the eighth round giving Thurman the technical decision. According to ESPN’s Teddy Atlas, the ringside analyst for the Premiere Boxing Champions telecast, Thurman had hurt his left hand in training. And during the 12-round welterweight fight, Thurman at times used his left jab as a range finder, sometimes pawing with the jab and not throwing anything substantial behind it. So Thurman, using a lot of right-hand leads, was basically fighting with one hand.

Thurman’s hand injury is now healed, and during the recent Mayweather, JR. – Berto press conference both “One Time” and “Showtime” faced off. A fight between these two tops welterweights for the fall seems highly probable, due to the fact that many of the top welterweights including Kell Brook, Diego Chavez, Timothy Bradley, and Brandon Rios are scheduled for upcoming fights.

With big money fight options limited for both fighters this year, this fight makes plenty of sense for all parties involved. Thurman and Porter are both advised by Al Haymon and are showcase fighters for his PBC Series. For Porter who is coming off a big win in June over Adrien Broner, 30-2, 22 KO’s. Agreeing to fight Thurman can lead to him becoming welterweight champion again. For Thurman a victory can lead to several marquee match-ups in 2016 including a welterweight unification fight. Thurman and Porter are both aggressive fighters and Porter’s chin will be tested by the hard hitting Thurman. Thurman on the other hand has yet to face a boxer with the skills and power of Shawn Porter. This is one of the many things that makes this fight intriguing on so many levels. Styles make fights and with “One Time” and “Showtime” I believe we can have a “Fight of the Year” candidate.

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