Unbeaten southpaw Errol Spence Junior, who ripped the IBF welterweight crown from Kell Brook in Sheffield, England in May, is looking at making his maiden title defence in either December of January, likely in New York.
Luis Collazo
Luis Collazo KOs Sammy Vasquez!
Former world champion Luis Collazo (37-7, 20 KOs) delivered an early “Knockout of the Year” candidate with a sixth-round knockout of welterweight contender Sammy Vasquez Jr. (21-2, 15 KOs) Thursday night in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes from Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.
The Brooklyn-native Collazo started slow as Vasquez Jr. looked to control the fight with his movement and jab. The action began to pick-up in the third round as Collazo struck the first major blow of the fight, connecting on a right hand that sent Vasquez Jr. to the canvas.
Sammy Vasquez and Luis Collazo meet at the Crossroads on FS1
This Thursday night the PBC on FS1 presents a fight card with depth beyond the main event between once beaten Sammy Vasquez and gate keeper Luis Collazo. It’s not as though the top of the bill isn’t important to each man’s career but you could make an argument the undercard has just as much on the line. Yordenis Ugas takes on Levan ‘The Wolfman’ Ghvamichava, a very fitting nickname when you see this guy’s body hair, in a scrap that is crucial at this stage for both. Also, in what I believe to be the opener, Ryan Karl meets Eddie Ramirez in a battle unbeaten junior welterweights.
Sammy Vasquez Jr faces Luis Collazo on Wilder-Arreola card on 7/16
BIRMINGHAM, AL (June 21, 2016) – Undefeated welterweight contender Sammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez Jr. (21-0, 15 KOs) is set to battle former world champion Luis Collazo (36-7, 19 KOs) in the 10-round co-main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FOX & FOX Deportes in primetime on Saturday, July 16 from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with two more hours of boxing on FS1 and FOX Deportes to follow immediately at 10 p.m. ET. Further details will be announced shortly.
Thurman: ‘I Felt Like Mayweather Against Mosley’
It would seem that in many corners of the boxing press, people are turning on Florida’s Keith Thurman following his victory Saturday night over veteran southpaw Luis Collazo. Some of the very same people who believed him to be the 2nd coming are now seemingly changing their mind after witnessing “One Time” overcome a scare at the end of the 5th round, that saw the wind knocked out of his sails from a big shot to the body – with Collazo’s assault only halted by the bell.
It was proof of Thurman once again overcoming adversity in a fight – as he did back in March against Robert Guerrero, fighting on and winning with a nasty head injury. On Saturday he did incredibly well to stay on his feet.
Thurman wants Amir Khan, willing to fight him in UK
After being compared in an unfavorable way to Amir Khan in how he did in beating Luis Collazo last year, WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman (26-0, 22 Kos) says he’s ready to fight Khan next if he’s interested in fighting, and he’ll travel to the UK to fight Khan at Wembley Stadium in London if he’s willing to take the fight.
Thurman, 26, has taking a lot of heat from boxing fans due to the way he looked against Collazo last Saturday night in beating him by a harder than expected 8th round TKO at the USF Sundome Arena in Tampa, Florida. To be sure, Thurman got the victory, but he also was hurt by Collazo in the 5th, and he ran from the 34-year-old fighter through most of.
Thurman beats Collazo, fails to impress
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 vs. Luis Collazo: One Time for the Money
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.
Thurman/Collazo Quotes and Photos
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.
Thurman/Collazo: Can Luis Collazo Beat the Odds in Tampa?
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.