Photo by Eric Gay
Keith “One Time” Thurman (24-0-0, 21 KOs) has built a reputation as a guy who knows how to put his opponent down, a fighter with a knockout mentality.
That’s why some hard-to-please fight fans turned their back on him after he technically boxed his way to a unanimous-decision victory over the relatively unknown, 40-year-old Leonard Bundu back in December 2014.
A fight made ugly by Bundu’s awkward style and sense of survival, all three judges did score the bout 120-107 for Thurman.
His performance against Bundu was similar to that of knockout artists Sergey Kovalev’s victory over 50-year-old living legend Bernard Hopkins (who was 49 at the time), just a month earlier.
Only Thurman heard boo’s, while Kovalev was praised for being versatile.
This Saturday, March 7, Thurman takes on Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (32-2-1, 18 KOs) in the toughest fight, and on the biggest stage of his career.
As the A-side of the main event for Al Haymon’s first ever Premier Boxing Champions card, it’s worth arguing that Haymon could be lining Thurman up to be the next big name in the stacked Welterweight division, and possibly even a future opponent for current 147-pound kingpin, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
What Thurman needs to do is showcase a performance that will stick in the minds of the millions of new boxing viewers who will either be tuning into boxing for the first time, or coming back to give the sport another try.
So let’s not only look at three key factors for Keith Thurman to win, but what he needs to do to take a major step towards being one of the sport’s most popular fighters moving forward.
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.
2. Box Smart
Use Superior Footwork
As I mentioned in the first key, Robert Guerrero will benefit greatly if he’s able to drag Keith Thurman into a slug fest and war of attrition where he can slowly grind Thurman down over the course of the fight.
What Thurman needs to realize is that he can still provide a very watchable fight while using his faster feet and superior boxing skills to regulate the exchanges on his terms, from the outside, and in the middle of the ring.
While Guerrero will be attempting to dictate Thurman’s positioning, Thurman will be circling-out to his left, while side-stepping, counter punching and holding when necessary in order to prevent an inside fight.
Possessing faster feet and hands will put Thurman in a position to use his lateral movement to attack Guerrero from different angles.
One would assume Thurman will better maintain his endurance as the fight goes on against the older Guerrero, who’s only fought once in each of the last three years, so there’s no need for Thurman to get blinded by the lights and begin to chase a knockout early.
Instead, if Thurman can establish a points-lead by the later third of the fight, he’ll be able to take more chances, and in-turn, become the fighter who can effectively grind down his opponent while the fight drags into deeper waters.
By the championship rounds, Thurman will be able to frustrate and pick Guerrero apart, who will only get slower as he chases and gets hit more.
This will allow Thurman to turn the tables, now being the fighter who’s pushing his opponent back and putting him in a position to go for the late stoppage.
3. Be Aggressive Late
Go for the Knockout
A “Boxer-Puncher” is a boxer who has the technical skill set to dishearten an opponent over the course of a fight, and the punching power to take the decision out of the judge’s hands.
Nobody showcased this style any better than the man who will be ringside calling color commentary this Saturday night, “Sugar” Ray Leonard.
Just look to when Leonard beat Wilfred Benitez to win his first world title on November 30, 1979, a performance in which Leonard boxed brilliantly before stopping Benitez with just six seconds left in the 15th and final round.
It was a thrilling and star-making performance.
Leonard’s style is one that Thurman should attempt to emulate, as well as Leonard’s likability, which is something Thurman should inspire to achieve.
If Guerrero is indeed hurt and Thurman is in control of the fight late, it will be in the best interest of his career to avoid playing it safe, and to take chances in order to chase the knockout.
It’s right now, in this first ever Premier Boxing Champions broadcast that these fighters, specifically Keith Thurman, Robert Guerrero and Adrien Broner, have the opportunity to bolster their fan base greatly.
If Thurman wants to be the fighter who sticks in the minds of the millions of new viewers who will be tuning in, he’d better provide them with what’s expected, which is an exciting knockout victory.
Who do you think wins this weekend, Keith “One Time” Thurman, or Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero? Please feel free to discuss in our comment section below.
Don’t forget to tune into NBC this Saturday night, March 7, 8:30 ET, for the first ever “Premier Boxing Champions” card.
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