Keith Thurman vs Leonard Bundu

[handsofstone]

Im really looking forward to this fight on saturday so i thought id start a topic on here as opposed to CS seeing as Bundu's beaten both Purdy and Gavin over here in European title defences,a win for him over an unbeaten highly rated American would do wonders for the Euro/US rivalry (although Bundu was born in Sierra Leone) If he was to pull it off i'd be chuffed for him coz he seems a nice bloke

TBH I cant see him beating Thurman,he's a monster,hasnt really fought anyone of note yet,Zaveck,Diaz, Soto Karass and Chaves are all good scalps but apart from Diego the rest have seen better days and have had tough careers but when the time comes im confident Keith will step up


Its a pity Bundu turned pro late because he's still a class act at 40 so in his 20's he may have had more of a say on things on the world scene,if he can avoiud getting hurt from Thurman then maybe his skills can cause Keith problems,although to be fair Thurman's pretty good technically too

Thurman KO11 ,im a fan of both men but im firmly rooting for Leonard Bundu in this one

[danamba7]

Good fight. Hard to call as neither has fought top level opponents yet. I think Thurman will win but not sure if he'll win by KO/TKO/Pts. I'd be rooting for Bundu as well though for the same reason as you, seems a gent.

[Broomhall]

Purdy and Gavin League one, Thurman halfway up the premiership. Big jump up for Bundu. Hope he does well as agreed he is a class act, but you got to think Thurman will grind him down.

[TheLeprechaun]

Bundu will realize very quickly that he can't come forward and hunt down Thurman. He'll probably fight very conservatively then and make it to the later half of the fight before being starched to the body. But Thurman will do him in one if he comes in thinking he can fight the same way he did vs Gavin and Purdy.

[Counter-puncher]

Bundu will realize very quickly that he can't come forward and hunt down Thurman. He'll probably fight very conservatively then and make it to the later half of the fight before being starched to the body. But Thurman will do him in one if he comes in thinking he can fight the same way he did vs Gavin and Purdy.

sadly i think you might be bang-on here

[Old bones Ian]

Heart says Bundu, head says Thurman.
Both boxers are good to watch, not seen many weaknesses in Thurman, and being the younger man and bigger puncher I've got to side with him.
It could always happen that Bundu gets old overnight and Thurman does a job on him. But I think we will see a exciting fight with Thurmans hand raised around the 10th

[black panther]

I hope we see some chopped liver with Bundu sauce. But I'm in agreement that in a good fight, Thurman's power will tell and he'll stop Bundu in the second half of the fight.

[Counter-puncher]

i think leprechaun's point- that Bundu probably can't afford to be nearly as aggressive vs Thurman as he was vs Gavin or Purdy- is the one to remember, here

[Bard of Boxrec]

Thurman is going to walk through this guy.

[CheckHook]

I think Bundu is tailor made to make Thurman look good. He's a busy, stocky fighter without much pop, he'll come forward and allow Thurman to tee off on him. I think Thurman will take him out inside 6 or 7. I also thought Bundu showed his age in the Gavin fight and despite being on top he started to tire quite fast (both guys were tired so it wasn't a factor). Bundu just doesn't have enough power to keep Thurman honest.

[black panther]

I think Bundu is tailor made to make Thurman look good. He's a busy, stocky fighter without much pop, he'll come forward and allow Thurman to tee off on him. I think Thurman will take him out inside 6 or 7. I also thought Bundu showed his age in the Gavin fight and despite being on top he started to tire quite fast (both guys were tired so it wasn't a factor). Bundu just doesn't have enough power to keep Thurman honest.

Not so sure about this. I mean the only opponent who has lasted the distance with him in his last 6 fights is Frankie Gavin, who he had badly hurt and is notoriously hard to catch clean. Bundu is no KO-Artist but at the same time I feel he punches harder than his record would suggest. I'll be watching with interest to see whose right out of you and I!

[CheckHook]

I think Bundu is tailor made to make Thurman look good. He's a busy, stocky fighter without much pop, he'll come forward and allow Thurman to tee off on him. I think Thurman will take him out inside 6 or 7. I also thought Bundu showed his age in the Gavin fight and despite being on top he started to tire quite fast (both guys were tired so it wasn't a factor). Bundu just doesn't have enough power to keep Thurman honest.

Not so sure about this. I mean the only opponent who has lasted the distance with him in his last 6 fights is Frankie Gavin, who he had badly hurt and is notoriously hard to catch clean. Bundu is no KO-Artist but at the same time I feel he punches harder than his record would suggest. I'll be watching with interest to see whose right out of you and I!

I don't think he hurt Frankie other than that body shot and if I'm being honest, I don't think that was due to Bundu's power. I don't think that body shot he landed on Frankie would bother many at world level. Even in the Purdy fight it was more accumulation that got the job done than single shots and Purdy was outclassed at every turn. I do want to add though that I'm not knocking Bundu, I think he's a solid fighter and has plenty of assets. I just don't think he is gonna close the distance without taking punishment and when he does land its not gonna be enough to make Thurman think twice. He's a good fighter, but I think he will look his age when he's in there with a big, powerful welter like Thurman. More than happy to come back to this thread and hold my hands up if I'm wrong though, Bundu always comes across as an honest, hard working fighter and I'd love to see him cause an upset.

[Counter-puncher]

Anyone like to start the betting as to how much bundu will be outweighed in the ring by massive 'welterweight' thurman?

I'll go with 8lbs......

[Michael bennt]

Can Bundu beat the massive puncher Thurman on Saturday ?

[Newport Daz]

I honestly don't think so. I think Bundu has been bought in to make Thurman look good. I really like Bundu and he seems a good guy, so I hope he wins. Hopefully he's being paid well as I think he'll earn his money tomorrow night.

[TheLeprechaun]

No

[Boxing Prospect]

Am I the only person unsold on Thurman? A lot if hype and style but wonder how he'll do against a world class guy at 147...

[danamba7]

Has anyone tested Thurman's chin yet?

[Tangerine]

Thurman will take him out mid rounds,he ain't on KT level I'm afraid.

[Michael bennt]

Thurman will take him out mid rounds,he ain't on KT level I'm afraid.

I think Thurman will be exposed soon! Maybe not by Bundu but someone else, he is very overrated

[Old Jack J]

Its an interesting fight between an up and coming guy in thurman and a fighter in bundu who never got the plaudits he deserved.

I think bundu is past his best now but am glad he gets a shot at a big fight.

I would say thurman will win but i think bundu does have the speed and chin to hang around and cause a few problems.

[CheckHook]

Has anyone tested Thurman's chin yet?

Karass caught him and clearly hurt him.... I suspect Thurman doesn't possess the best chin in the business, but I still don't see Bundu cracking it.

[Datsue]

Anyone like to start the betting as to how much bundu will be outweighed in the ring by massive 'welterweight' thurman?

I'll go with 8lbs......

I'll see your eight & raise the running to ten lbs.

[Anzi]

Believe me Thurman is the real deal, I was not sold on him in the early stages, but he has turned by opinion around, a fighter of mine sparred with him in florida a few times, whilst he sparred with Randall Bailey and Carlos Molina, plus many other top fighters, he said Thurman was by far the best, he was surprised how good his skills were and how intelligent he was in the ring, not to mention that every punch is damaging, the same fighter sparred with Kel Brook a number of times as a paid sparring partner and from the encounters he felt Thurman was a level above, I know it is just sparring, but Thurman uses 18 oz gloves, because hits so hard and does not want to damage his hands, the only reason he has not been tested by the best is because he is avoided.

[expe]

Am I the only person unsold on Thurman? A lot if hype and style but wonder how he'll do against a world class guy at 147...

He's wide open when he throws and he isn't a one punch banger, heavy handed but he hasn't been taking opponents out with single shots. Be interesting to see how he goes with someone who doesn't come to him and makes him come forward.