Keith Thurman v The Welterweight Division ?

[Evander]

Couple of days have passed since his fight with Lopez and some have had time to digest his performance on the weekend, so what did you think of him and his future prospects against the A list Welterweights.

Thurman v Spence
Thurman v Crawford
Thurman v Porter
Thurman v Pacquiao

For me I think regardless of who he boxes It will be a good fight, Thurman is an entertaining fighter.

I think Errol Spence may beat him.
Possible he can beat Terence Crawford.
Shaun Porter will be a handful for anyone.
Manny Pacquiao shouldn't be too much of a problem at this age.

What say you ?

[Deleted_Scenes]

The Thurman we saw against Lopez loses to all of those, except maybe Porter (50/50). He hadn't fought for nearly 2 years though, so it's unfair to judge too much, just based on that one fight. He needs to get active, and against decent opposition.

[oogiebe]

The Thurman we saw against Lopez loses to all of those, except maybe Porter (50/50). He hadn't fought for nearly 2 years though, so it's unfair to judge too much, just based on that one fight. He needs to get active, and against decent opposition.

Fair post. Thurman showed either a lot of ring rust, or abated skills. I'd rather answer this after his next fight, but if pushed pick right now, he'd have a shot at Crawford and Porter.

[SenorPipino]

A 100% Thurman beats them all except for Spence.

Too much quickness, power and ring guile. And showed his toughness and resiliency on Saturday.

I still wonder about his ability to absorb body shots. And Spence is a magnificent body puncher.

But if Thurman returns to 2017 form, he should regain his WBC crown from Porter (unless Ugas upsets those plans) and thrash Pacquiao if the Filipino is honest about wanting to fight him.

Just stay away from Spence.

[Onetimeonly]

He has no chance against Crawford or Spence. He'd probably squeak by Manny and Porter.

[KiwiRider]

He is keeping his word so far. He said last year he would need 2 lowly guys before he steps up.
Seems he knows his current limitations,I think he needs one more fight first too.
At least he got rounds in.

Spence isn't as active as he should be, poor fella can't get any of the top guys to fight him since Brook really. Sad really. If Thurman does fight him this year, big props for courage.

[Onetimeonly]

Spence would have rolled over Thurman before Keith got hurt. He doesn't have the pop to keep him off.

[Best Coast]

The Thurman we saw against Lopez loses to all of those, except maybe Porter (50/50). He hadn't fought for nearly 2 years though, so it's unfair to judge too much, just based on that one fight. He needs to get active, and against decent opposition.

Fair post. Thurman showed either a lot of ring rust, or abated skills. I'd rather answer this after his next fight, but if pushed pick right now, he'd have a shot at Crawford and Porter.

In addition to overcoming the rust, Thurman needs to learn how to clinch when he gets hurt. If he does he should beat Pac and Porter (if they ever rematch) but I dont see him beating Crawford or Spence even if he does that.

[Evander]

Thurman v Pacquiao

Thurman can't beat this Manny ?

[Evander]

Why can't Thurman beat Crawford ?

[Syntax Error]

Right now, Thurman isn't ready for those big dogs.

We need to see how he progresses in his next couple of fights.

[gregregegg]

Thurman loses to spence and crawford. too close to call against porter and pac.

[Enlightened-One]

Spence isn't as active as he should be, poor fella can't get any of the top guys to fight him since Brook really. Sad really. If Thurman does fight him this year, big props for courage.

I’m not really sure that’s the case, since Spence Jr. allegedly received a $3.5m payday to face Lamont Peterson, received a minimum guarantee of $1.2m for the Ocampo bout and will likely receive a career-best payday for the Mikey Garcia PPV. He’s being well looked after, so the situation isn't "sad" and you shouldn't feel "sorry" for him.

Errol is receiving huge paydays to merely face second-tier opposition. And he’d expect to receive even more to face the likes of Thurman, Porter or Danny Garcia, but I don’t know if the money is there yet... or at least it wasn't there previously.

Bob Arum also claims there isn’t enough interest yet to stage a bout between his man, Terence Crawford, and Errol Spence Jr. Top Rank are waiting in order to generate sufficient interest and optimise their financial returns. Haymon is likely doing the same.

And besides, I don’t think that anyone affiliated with the PBC, Haymon or Spence Jr’s handlers have attempted to initiate contract negotiations with any of Errol’s big-name peers. A fighter cannot be accused of “ducking” if there isn’t even an offer to say “NO” to. This is an important fact that many fight fans prefer to ignore.

I believe the PBC guys are willing to face anyone, but not for peanuts and Al Haymon wasn’t going to orchestrate high-risk bouts between his most prized assets without receiving huge financial returns. And let’s not forget that the PBC only announced their deals with Showtime and Fox about five months ago. The money might not have been there beforehand.

Mikey Garcia became Errol Spence Jr’s first opponent shortly after the PBC signed their deals with Showtime and Fox. And the timing of this PPV announcement and quality of opponent the IBF champ is facing next is surely no coincidence. This is something that fight fans should not overlook.

[Onetimeonly]

Why can't Thurman beat Crawford ?

Crawford is better at everything? He'd break down the body and stop him.

[ElJefe]

Why can't Thurman beat Crawford ?

Because Crawford is quicker, has better feet, more accurate, harder to hit, better in the clinch, deceptively strong, is a better finisher.

Most importantly he's much smarter. Crawford can figure people out and systematically break them down. See Horn and Benavidez fights. Those aren't top level guys, sure. But neither are Lopez, Bundu, Guerrero etc. Difference is once Thurman can't knock a guy out early, he doesn't often figure out what to do with them so he just coasts for a decision.

I don't see a way in which Thurman wins. Centre of the ring is Crawford's game. Thurman doesn't really walk people down. He doesn't beat Crawford off the back foot either. I think its competitive for 6 while Bud is wary of Thurman's power. Then Crawford sweeps the second half on the cards to win wide. Spence stops him to the body imo.

[KiwiRider]

Why can't Thurman beat Crawford ?

Because Crawford is quicker, has better feet, more accurate, harder to hit, better in the clinch, deceptively strong, is a better finisher.

Most importantly he's much smarter. Crawford can figure people out and systematically break them down. See Horn and Benavidez fights. Those aren't top level guys, sure. But neither are Lopez, Bundu, Guerrero etc. Difference is once Thurman can't knock a guy out early, he doesn't often figure out what to do with them so he just coasts for a decision.

I don't see a way in which Thurman wins. Centre of the ring is Crawford's game. Thurman doesn't really walk people down. He doesn't beat Crawford off the back foot either. I think its competitive for 6 while Bud is wary of Thurman's power. Then Crawford sweeps the second half on the cards to win wide. Spence stops him to the body imo.

Nice post
The body attack from Crawford is pivotal. Thurman doesn't like the hits to the body.

[SenorPipino]

Crawford's never faced anyone as remotely talented as a 100% Thurman.

As many have pointed out, Crawford's resume isn't studded with outstanding fighters.

Thurman and Spence beat him.

[KiwiRider]

Spence isn't as active as he should be, poor fella can't get any of the top guys to fight him since Brook really. Sad really. If Thurman does fight him this year, big props for courage.

I’m not really sure that’s the case, since Spence Jr. allegedly received a $3.5m payday to face Lamont Peterson, received a minimum guarantee of $1.2m for the Ocampo bout and will likely receive a career-best payday for the Mikey Garcia PPV. He’s being well looked after, so the situation isn't "sad" and you shouldn't feel "sorry" for him.

Errol is receiving huge paydays to merely face second-tier opposition. And he’d expect to receive even more to face the likes of Thurman, Porter or Danny Garcia, but I don’t know if the money is there yet... or at least it wasn't there previously.

Bob Arum also claims there isn’t enough interest yet to stage a bout between his man, Terence Crawford, and Errol Spence Jr. Top Rank are waiting in order to generate sufficient interest and optimise their financial returns. Haymon is likely doing the same.

And besides, I don’t think that anyone affiliated with the PBC, Haymon or Spence Jr’s handlers have attempted to initiate contract negotiations with any of Errol’s big-name peers. A fighter cannot be accused of “ducking” if there isn’t even an offer to say “NO” to. This is an important fact that many fight fans prefer to ignore.

I believe the PBC guys are willing to face anyone, but not for peanuts and Al Haymon wasn’t going to orchestrate high-risk bouts between his most prized assets without receiving huge financial returns. And let’s not forget that the PBC only announced their deals with Showtime and Fox about five months ago. The money might not have been there beforehand.

Mikey Garcia became Errol Spence Jr’s first opponent shortly after the PBC signed their deals with Showtime and Fox. And the timing of this PPV announcement and quality of opponent the IBF champ is facing next is surely no coincidence. This is something that fight fans should not overlook.

Sad for boxing fans was what I meant. Good on Spence for making some money. It's just the excitement after the Brook fight (for me at least) has waned somewhat. Spence, most believe, is the guy who could clean out the division. And yet two years after Brook, no unification, still just the one belt, and now fighting a guy from another division
That's the part I find a bit sad.

[Onetimeonly]

Crawford's never faced anyone as remotely talented as a 100% Thurman.

As many have pointed out, Crawford's resume isn't studded with outstanding fighters.

Thurman and Spence beat him.

Crawford has faced plenty of fighters in the josesito Lopez category and none of them battered him pillar to post for 3 minutes. Wouldn't even be competitive.

[oogiebe]

Crawford's never faced anyone as remotely talented as a 100% Thurman.

As many have pointed out, Crawford's resume isn't studded with outstanding fighters.

Thurman and Spence beat him.

Crawford has faced plenty of fighters in the josesito Lopez category and none of them battered him pillar to post for 3 minutes. Wouldn't even be competitive.

To be fair, yeah, but not after a 22 month layoff. I'll judge Thurman after his next fight.

[ElJefe]

Crawford's never faced anyone as remotely talented as a 100% Thurman.

As many have pointed out, Crawford's resume isn't studded with outstanding fighters.

Thurman and Spence beat him.

Crawford has faced plenty of fighters in the josesito Lopez category and none of them battered him pillar to post for 3 minutes. Wouldn't even be competitive.

To be fair, yeah, but not after a 22 month layoff. I'll judge Thurman after his next fight.

That's fair. Who would you pick between current Bud and the Thurman that beat Porter and Garcia? I'd still confidently pick Crawford.

[DrDuke]

If Thurman doesn't regain his shape, he'll lose to Porter and Garcia, whom he had previously defeated in competetive bouts. Pac still can be handled, maybe not without struggles. Spence is a favourite for me even against prime Thurman, although it would have been close. And Crawford should be a favorite against prime Thurman as well, but his edge would have been bigger.

[oogiebe]

Crawford has faced plenty of fighters in the josesito Lopez category and none of them battered him pillar to post for 3 minutes. Wouldn't even be competitive.

To be fair, yeah, but not after a 22 month layoff. I'll judge Thurman after his next fight.

That's fair. Who would you pick between current Bud and the Thurman that beat Porter and Garcia? I'd still confidently pick Crawford.

Thurman, but it's difficult to get that Lopez fight out of my mind..

[NateJR]

Spence wears him down to the body and stops him mid fight.

Crawford comfortably outboxes him, breaks him down and dogs him for a 10th round stoppage.

Porter gets revenge and wins a close UD.

Thurman has just enough to out point Pacquiao.

[boxing_rocks]

I think Thurman is not the same after being hurt by Soto Karass. Spence and Crawford would destroy the version we saw last weekend. I would give Pack good chances of beating him too.