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Staff Predictions | Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter

Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter

Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime

Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer

I see Keith Thurman backpedalling a lot in this fight, trying to give Shawn Porter bait, so he can land quick, precise counter-shots.

I do see Porter’s aggressive style paying off in some parts of the fight, leading to uncomfortable moments for Thurman, and maybe a knockdown or two for both fighters during inside exchanges.

I see an industrious, gritty decision victory for Thurman, most likely a split decision (the judges being split on what they like, aggression or generalship).

He will endure a lot of heat from Porter’s relentless pressure, and will probably be marked up a lot, but I believe his refinement as a fighter is greater than Porter’s, and that will shine through in the fight–such as speed, power, shot selection and footwork.

I can see judging controversy, similar to the Porter vs. Kell Brook fight. As a consequence, I am picking Thurman by split decision, or by a competitive unanimous decision.

Prediction: Thurman

 

Alan Garcia, Staff Writer

This fight reminds me of Miguel Cotto vs. Shane Mosley. Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter is one of those rare matches that don’t frequently happen nowadays.

Rare in the sense that we have two elite level fighters, both coming up in rank, hungry to prove themselves against each other. When you have two kids that grew up together with a one-ups man-ship type of mentality, the second they get a chance to prove their very best against each other, they will dig deep in order to come out victorious, making this an expected, crowd-pleasing fight.

Although both men are equally hungry to establish themselves as an all-time great, I’m going to lean in favor of Thurman in this fight. Porter has the skills, power and determination to keep this fight competitive, but his come-forward aggressive style is tailor-made for a boxer like Thurman.

A well-rounded boxer like Thurman will outpoint and potshot Porter’s sloppy aggression, thus counterpunching wild haymakers Porter will be looking to land.

However, Thurman has been progressively improving his defense, we have seen him get hurt in past fights against Luis Collazo and Diego Chavez, so his defense better be top notch against a come-forward power puncher.

If Thurman remains calm and fights a smart fight against Porter, there is no reason why he should have major trouble outpointing him, there’s a possibility of even scoring a knockdown, ultimately winning the fight by decision.

Prediction: Thurman

 

Milo Taibi, Staff Writer

I’m going with Keith Thurman by decision, in a fight that should solidify his role atop the Welterweight division.

“One Time” has been in the ring more recently, and has the more impressive resume (Shawn Porter fought to a draw against the unheralded Julio Diaz).

Knowing that an underwhelming matchup with David Avanesyan is around the corner, we can only to hope to get our money’s worth when Thurman and Porter square off at Barclays Center.

Prediction: Thurman

 

Ismael Gallardo, Photographer

Prediction: Thurman

 

Chris Nicastro, Staff Writer

This is by far the best matchup on paper that will happen this year, especially now knowing that Canelo and GGG will likely never face off in the ring.

I really don’t know who’s going to win this one and that’s what I love about it.

Keith Thurman is the smarter fighter, but he’s been chin checked by guys with much less power than Porter, and “Showtime” Shawn is a relentless bull who isn’t going to let up.

I’m going to say Porter wants it more—Thurman will go the distance, but he’ll be a wounded warrior.

Prediction: Porter

 

Andrew Kang, Contributing Writer

I like Shawn Porter’s fighting spirit and determination, allowing him to have some moments in the fight.

But Keith Thurman is just too big and strong.

He will take full control of the fight in the later rounds to punish, if not pile up the points, to secure the win.

Prediction: Thurman

 

Merissa Dyer, Staff Writer

I believe that in this fight we’re going to see a more developed and well-rounded Keith Thurman. Shawn Porter is a perfect opponent to cement Thurman’s elevated status in the Welterweight division.

While this matchup is a close one, I give Thurman the edge. He has the boxing IQ to outsmart Porter, and the power to give his opponent plenty to think about.

Porter is a great test for Thurman because we’ll see how well he deals with adversity and unpredictability.

Thurman winning this fight will hopefully open up more talks for strong matchups in the division, such as Errol Spence Jr.

I predict that Thurman will win this fight by at least majority decision and score a knockdown or two in the process.

Prediction: Thurman

 

Amber Williams, Photographer

Prediction: Porter

 

Michael Burnell, Staff Writer

With this highly anticipated fight, predictions are flying freely on social media and in musty local gyms.

Both fighters have supporters that are absolutely adamant that they are correct and eagerly await Saturday nights result to validate both their knowledge and the victors grasp on welterweight supremacy.

The fight will give fight fans exactly what they are looking for as it relates to ebb-and-flow action and changes in momentum. It will also give supporters of each fighter exactly what they are looking for as Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter struggle to gain control as the other refuses to yield.

Expect Thurman to start to pull away in the later rounds and begin to establish a small lead in a closely-contested match. Porter will turn up the heat in an attempt to regain control, but hits the mat twice giving “One Time” Thurman the edge he needs for a close, but clear decision victory.

Prediction: Thurman

 

Brandon Glass, Staff Writer

Two fighters in their primes, willing to face each other? With a title on the line? This should be getting top billing, but sadly it’s not.

I struggle with this prediction as both guys have a lot going for them in this matchup. I can see Keith Thurman landing a huge right hand that Shawn Porter may not recover from, based on how Porter was hurt and dropped near the final moments of his scrap with Adrien Broner.

Then again, Porter applies constant pressure and wears his opponents down. Thurman struggled with the vastly experienced Luis Collazo after a getting caught with a vicious body shot. We got a glimpse of a Thurman we never saw before, frustrated and wounded; and to many, the cut over Collazo’s eye might have saved him from his first defeat.

The Collazo bout wasn’t his most exemplary fight. It will be interesting to see how durable Thurman is up against a grinder with more world-class experience, like Porter.

When it’s all said and done, I think if Thurman can use movement to avoid Porter’s advances and aggression he can land the shot that could end the night.

However, Porter can make this fight ugly in a heartbeat, frustrating Thurman, disrupting his attack and winning by decision or late stoppage.

Ugh…this is tough. I guess I’m picking Porter by decision. I think Thurman’s last fight may have been a tell on how he functions in adversity.

Prediction: Porter

 

Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer

Can’t get any better than this. Two top fighters duking it out for class supremacy. Both men have a lot to prove, so let’s get down to it.

What will ultimately decide this match up is footwork. Can Shawn Porter move in quick enough to rough up Keith Thurman? Or will Thurman move and box in order to keep Porter chasing all night?

Tough call, but I’ve got to go with Porter. Porter is going to be the bull to Thurman’s matador. Thurman’s game plan will be to counter Porter as he lunges in to brawl. Against a sluggish Robert Guerrero, Thurman was able to pick off Guerrero as came in. However, Porter is much faster, and most importantly, more assertive than Guerrero.

Porter was able to keep Adrien Broner from countering his lunges by boxing circles and setting himself up with different angles. Porter isn’t just a come-forward boxer. He’s a finely tuned boxer who knows how to get in close.

Thurman’s inside game is a bit shaky, his body in particular is penetrable. When Jesus Soto Karass was able to close the distance, he hurt Thurman with steady body work. In Thurman’s last fight against Luis Collazo, he left his body open while punching and got countered with a liver shot that would drop a rhino.

Give credit to Thurman for not going down, but it really showed how open his body can be. His core isn’t particularly muscular, which might explain his weak resistance to body blows.

Porter should be smart, boxing and brawling when he has to, targeting the body as well. Thurman’s power, in which I believe is a bit over hyped, shouldn’t bother Porter, as Porter took Kell Brooks hardest shots and never flinched.

It’ll be a good, competitive fight, but Porter should inch it out with intelligent aggression. Porter by close, close, decision.

Prediction: Porter

 

Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer

Keith “One Time” Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) and Shawn “Showtime” Porter (26-1- 1, 16 KOs) go toe-to- toe Saturday night at Barclays Center for Thurman’s WBA Welterweight title.

This is a great matchup between two boxing stars still in the prime of their careers. This will be Thurman’s third fight since 2015, coming off a July win over Luis Collazo. Thurman was supposed to fight Porter in March, but made the decision to delay the bout due to minor injuries incurred in a car accident.

Thurman has impeccable ring IQ and is one of the best at quickly adjusting to his opponents. If that isn’t enough, Thurman also has power in both hands–knocking out 10 of his last 15 opponents.

Porter is coming into Saturday night’s having won five of his last six fights and coming off a June win over Adrien Broner. Porter’s only loss came to Kell Brook, losing via majority decision in an extremely close fight. Porter is an aggressive fighter, constantly throwing punches and pressuring his opponents.

He is also master at dictating the pace of his fights. Porter also has legitimate power–knocking out nine of his last 18 opponents. While I’m a huge fan of Porter and I admire his determination and heart–I am afraid Thurman will be able to adapt to Porter’s aggressive, pressuring style and make the proper adjustments to come out ahead on the scorecards.

With Thurman’s ability to adapt, combined with his ring IQ and slight power advantage–I am predicting he has what it takes to stay undefeated. One Time via unanimous decision.

Prediction: Thurman

 

Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief

It’s been said many times, by many different people, in a number of ways in the build up to this fight–Keith Thurman has more tools in the shed than Shawn Porter.

We’re pretty sure that Porter will come out aggressive and look to push the pace against Thurman. If Porter was a song, he’d be “Ugly” by Bubba Sparxxx (yes, I went there).

For all of the hoopla surrounding his power, Thurman is not a one-trick pony who comes forward simply looking to knock your block off. On the contrary, Thurman is tactful, uses his legs a lot and waits for openings to drop his heavy leather.

Against Luis Collazo, Thurman boxed beautifully for the better part of five rounds until he got caught with a vicious body shot. After that, Thurman looked like he was moving to survive as opposed to boxing with a well-thought-out game plan.

Before the Collazo fight, we had seen Thurman rocked by Diego Chaves and Jesus Soto Karass, and to his credit, he’s always recovered and come back to win. Against Porter, it won’t be as easy if the going gets tough.

Ben Getty once told a young Keith Thurman–and I’m paraphrasing–“When they feel your power, it changes their attitude.” This is key, because if the whole “One Time” super power mystique is real–and I’m not sure it is–Thurman needs to get Porter’s attention early on. That’s his key to winning.

But, my guess is that Porter–with his Energizer batteries full charged–will pressure Thurman all night and won’t allow it to become a boxing match at a comfortable distance for Thurman.

Porter certainly needs to step up his defense, because things can go south quick if Thurman lands a clean combination, but as long as he can stay in Thurman’s grill all night, I think he will win a close decision.

Prediction: Porter

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