AP Photo/Eric Jamison
Keith Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) scored a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over Robert Guerrero (32-2-1, 18 KOs) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 12-round fight was the main event of the inaugural telecast of Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions and aired on NBC in the U.S.
Today’s card began a series of broadcasts that will consistently air boxing on regular television and basic cable, including broadcasts on NBC, CBS and Spike TV.
Thurman, a 26-year-old native of Clearwater, Florida, came with a game plan in mind, but wanted to earn the respect of Guerrero early and did so by walking him down and landing right hands.
Both men were eager to exchange from the opening round, but it was Thurman who got the better of the exchanges.
Guerrero, 32, of Gilroy, California, was not dissuaded and landed a few shots as Thurman was pressing forward.
Thurman controlled the early rounds but it was perhaps his aggression that caused a head-butt that immediately left a large protuberance above his right eye.
Thurman continued landing combination punches on Guerrero in Rounds 7 and 8, despite the swelling.
Guerrero continued to take more punishment in Round 9 when a powerful right uppercut cut him above his left eye and began an exchange that dropped Guerrero down hard.
