1. Gain Guerrero’s Respect Early Establish the Jab/Right Cross
http://youtu.be/iAHXcKcEXT0?t=3m12s
While both Keith Thurman and Robert Guerrero are similar in size, Thurman proved against Leonard Bundu that he is the more athletic boxer-puncher.
Guerrero on the other hand, confirmed in his fight against Yoshihiro Kamegai back in June that his style is that of a slower, grinding brawler, who benefits more from a dogfight.
Guerrero is also a southpaw, a style that Thurman saw Bundu switch to at times, but hasn’t seen from a natural lefty since his match against Carlos Quintana back in November 2012. Thurman won that fight by fourth-round TKO.
If Thurman can establish himself as the stronger puncher early, earning Guerrero’s respect with power, he will have no problem controlling the tempo throughout the fight with the basic boxing strategies orthodox fighters use against southpaws.
By this I mean Thurman will have to keep his lead foot to the outside of Guerrero’s at all times, while circling to the left away from Guerrero’s strongest punches, and out of trouble.
While effectively moving, Thurman will want to concentrate on doubling, and tripling up jabs to Guerrero’s body and head.
These consistent jabs, plus a foot-speed advantage, will open Guerrero up to the strongest punch Thurman has in his arsenal–the right cross–a shot certainly capable of hurting even a tough fighter like Guerrero.
If Thurman can consistently land a hard right hand early, Guerrero will begin to cheat his defense high, in order to prevent the blow from landing.
This will allow Thurman to string together two-and-three punch combinations of body shots, right crosses, and short left hooks, the same recipe he used to stop Quintana.
