3. Stay Active
Luis Collazo is the type of boxer you don’t want to give too much time to think out his steps. He has a lot of experience in the ring, fighting various styles and opponents. He has given most elite boxers trouble and if he feels comfortable in the ring he can become very dangerous.
He gave Ricky Hatton and Andre Berto hell in two highly contested bouts that could have gone either way, despite the fact that most fans felt he was robbed. Collazo knows how to accurately throw a punch, is defensively sound and clearly still has knockout power, taking 28-year-old Victor Ortiz out in just two rounds.
Thurman has to make it uncomfortable for Collazo. He needs to increase the volume of his punches and put his jab into play all night, much like Amir Khan did, besides all the holding. He needs to apply pressure early in the fight, and overwhelm Collazo with combinations to stump his game plan. The best way to score a knockdown or throw Collazo off his rhythm is to constantly come forward.
The question is can Thurman do this triumphantly without getting caught in return? We saw him fight southpaw Carlos Quintana, where he had trouble cutting off the ring but was able to pull off a fourth-round TKO stoppage over the Puerto Rican.
Collazo, who also fights in the southpaw stance, is also known for throwing wide power punches that can be anticipated. If Collazo, who is also a counter puncher, can foresee these punches does that present a problem for the younger fighter?
If Thurman pulls off this win, who would you prefer to see him against next? Amir “King” Khan or Shawn “Showtime” Porter?
Tune in July 11, 2015 on ESPN to watch the action unfold.
