Keith “One Time” Thurman: The Next
Welterweight Boxing Star?
By M.DeTyrone
Take away all the reality series
entrances, the theme song show music, the lack of world titles shown in a
series promoted to be about champions, and the atmosphere of a boxing showcase
instead of championship boxing. The question is Keith “One Time” Thurman 25-0
(21KO) the next big welterweight star after Floyd Jr. retires. Well after his
performance vs. Robert “Ghost” Guerrero on network TV, many are already
claiming that he’s the future of the welterweight division. I’ve always stated
that Thurman has good potential however Guerrero was his first true test. With
a 10 lbs. advantage Thurman started strong but finished weak vs. a Guerrero
that not so long ago, was fighting at 126, 130, and a 135 not so long ago moved
up 12 lbs. to compete in the lucrative welterweight division.
Thurman has only fought 4 ex world
champions Quintana, Zaveck, Diaz, and Guerrero and has a record of 4-0 (2KO)
with only one world title fight but people wouldn’t even know that he’s the WBA
Regular Welterweight Champion, and that he was defending it for the first time vs.
Guerrero, if they watch the fight on network TV. Thurman had not faced true
great opposition but did fight Diego G. Chaves, which he won by TKO, but that
was Thurman best opponent until he faced Guerrero. Thurman has respectable
power with a 90% KO within the first six rounds, and an 86%KO in the first four
rounds and Thurman can adjust his style up from boxer-puncher when he needs to
box, then to pure-boxer when he sees a threat, and finally to slugger if he
believes his opponent is weaker.
Thurman is a very dangerous boxer
within the first six rounds of a fight and in the late rounds. Nevertheless, a
true puncher or bruiser at welterweight hasn’t tested his chin, in my opinion;
his chin is suspect and he’s been down and hurt before vs lesser opposition. I would
like to see what he‘d do vs. a Marcos “Chino” Maidana 35-5 (31KO) that scores
28 of his 31 KO’s with the first six rounds. It’s very likely due to past
performances that Thurman will box and try to achieve a decision I don’t see
him trying to slug it out vs. a bruiser like Maidana. Another fascinating
matchup would be Thurman vs. IBF Welterweight Champion Kell “Special K” Brook
33-0 (22KO) from the United Kingdom, and looking at Thurman’s performance vs.
Guerrero. I would say that Brook has a very good shot to defeat Thurman and
possibly knocking him out, if he boxes and takes Thurman into the championship
rounds.
Only time will tell if Thurman becomes
the next welterweight star in a welterweight division that looks significantly
strong with decent boxers. One thing, which is apparent, is that the
welterweight division looks to be competitive in the years to come.
