WBA “regular” welterweight title holder Keith Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) got the victory tonight in beating B-level fighter Luis Collazo (36-7, 19 KOs) by an 8th round TKO after Collazo told the referee he couldn’t see out of his cut right eye an a fight that was televised on Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.
Keith Thurman steps back in the ring for a second time this year in a stay busy fight against Luis Collazo. The undercard fight matches unbeaten prospect Tony Harrison versus Willie Nelson and it may end up stealing the show. Most think Thurman will win so how will he do it may be the more fitting question. Can Keith accomplish what no one has been able to do Collazo and that is a win by knockout?
This Saturday night marks the debut of Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN in primetime for what will amount to two-plus year’s worth of monthly installments. With the Friday Night Fights series on ESPN2 gone will ESPN’s stronghold in sports trickle down to help the visibility of boxing? The lack of visibility in the sport has hurt boxing greatly and the only time it’s mentioned on Sportscenter is an event involving Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquaio. Or it makes headlines from current or former fighters getting in trouble.
TAMPA (July 8, 2015) -Fighters competing on Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN card held media workouts in Tampa today before their July 11 showdowns at the USF Sun Dome with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
The headlining event will pit undefeated Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) against former world champion Luis Collazo (36-6, 19 KOs). The televised opener will see undefeated rising star Tony Harrison (21-0, 19 KOS) taking on the quick-fisted Willie Nelson (23-2-1, 13 KOS). Also participating in the workout was the son of former world champion Antonio Tarver, Antonio Tarver Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) who will fight on the undercard.
This Saturday WBA (reg) welterweight champion Keith Thurman fights Luis Collazo on the inaugural “PBC on ESPN” card, and has spoken out ahead of the contest vis fighthub, to attempt to put to bed some of the criticism he has received over the veteran New Yorker as an opponent, honestly confirming, ‘it’s what came with the timing of the fight.’
Fans have perhaps been harshly critical of “One Time”, who has been following a pretty consistent career arc over the last couple of years, culminating in his solid UD win over Robert Guerrero in March on the debut PBC card.
It’s a fair question to ask, can Luis Collazo (36-6 19Kos) overcome his perceived deficiencies against Keith Thurman (25-0 21Kos) on July 11th in Tampa Florida? Bookies aren’t in favor of him (he’s sitting as a 14-1 dog), he’s 8 years his opponent’s senior, has boxed more than double the rounds of Thurman, and has been in some very entertaining WARS throughout his career.
Now I’m a betting man (admittedly not a very good one), and this fight intrigues me. Keith has been vocal about fighting Floyd Mayweather, and showcasing his talents for all to see; could he possibly be overlooking Luis Collazo? This statement is purely conjecture, but if true, he wouldn’t be the first guy to do so. Ricky Hatton and Andre Berto both had aims of a fight with Mayweather when they clashed with Collazo, and both men were very fortunate to be awarded wins in those respective bouts.
Amir Khan is seemingly forever in the frame, alongside the likes of IBF champion Kell Brook, Florida’s Keith Thurman (WBA reg), and irrespective of your opinion on the seriousness of his statement naming them – Andre Berto and Karim Mayfield.
WBA (reg) welterweight champion Keith Thurman headlined the inaugural PBC card on NBC back in March, and on July 11th he will headline the debut PBC on ESPN card when he faces New York southpaw Luis Collazo live from the USF Sundome in Tampa, FL – in what is said to be another crucial step in Thurman’s quest to be a breakout boxing star of the future.
Speaking at a conference call to promote the fight via fighthubtv, undefeated Thurman, who defends the strap he won against Robert Guerrero 4 months ago, said he plans on continuing in his current vein and is constantly learning new things about the sport.
Undefeated Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) is ready for his July 11 Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN fight, the first PBC fight on ESPN. Thurman will meet former world champion Luis Collazo (33-6, 19 KOs) on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa.
The 26-year-old Thurman, who kicked off the inaugural PBC card with a unanimous decision victory over Robert Guerrero, believes he is the best 147-pound boxer in the world.
“I am an evolutionary boxer,” Thurman said. “I change and grow with every camp, every fight, I am here to retain my title and become the undisputed, true welterweight champ.”
Mention the words ‘welterweight’ and ‘Floyd Mayweather’ in the same sentence these days and it’s likely that Britain’s Amir Khan won’t be too far away from the conversation.
Irrespective of Floyd’s (sardonic) assertions that he will fight Andre Berto or Karim Mayfield – which you’d be a fool to believe – Khan still thinks that he is in the running for that fight in September and along with the likes of Kell Brook, Shawn Porter and Keith Thurman – is capable of landing the shot.
He enjoys a considerable base of support here in the UK – and top American welterweight Keith Thurman, who boxes Luis Collazo next month on Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN – has spoken out regarding the “Mayweather September Sweepstakes” to suggest that if it is not he who gets the call to face his countryman and P4P star for “Money’s” 49th fight, then British IBF champion Kell Brook is more than deserving of the opportunity.
Speaking to BehindTheGloves.com Thurman also went as far as to suggest that Brook’s domestic rival Amir Khan – who has been publicly chasing a Floyd fight for over 2 years – has yet to show he truly belongs at 147 and thus is not as deserving a challenger.