The undefeated WBA welterweight champion, Keith Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) is due to defend his title against former IBF champion Shawn Porter (26-1, 16 KOs) at the Barclays Center in New York on June 25.
The American is on a 27 bout unbeaten streak and will face the man whose only career defeat has come at the hands of the British Champion Kell Brook in August 2014. The knockout artist is convinced he will destroy Porter when the two pugilists meet in the ring.
“Training is the fundamentals of getting one prepared. We’ve always known that Shawn Porter was going to come into this fight in tremendous shape. That’s what his training methods are all about. But the Energizer Bunny has never been hit by Keith Thurman, and I’m pretty sure I could stop it in its tracks.”
“I’m going for the knockout. I’ve stated it before. My hands are itching for a knockout. I’m ‘One Time,’ all the time. That’s my philosophy. Every single time I step into the ring I’m looking for the knockout. We don’t get paid for overtime.
“I’ve always considered myself a knockout artist. Back to when I was a teenager knocking out grown men in headgear. Ever since then, I’ve been dropping people like a bad habit.
“I love being a power-puncher. My favourite fighter of all time is Mike Tyson. One of my goals that I set when I was a kid was to have more knockouts than Mike Tyson throughout my career.
“This is an opportunity to showcase our talents and our skills to the world. The winner will have an opportunity to be the head guy in the sport. I’ve always wanted to have a legacy in the sport of boxing.”
The fight was supposed to happen in March but got postponed due to an injury to Thurman caused in a car accident in February this year. As ‘One Time’ had to be sidelined for six weeks before he was able to resume his training.
Thurman’s trainer Dan Birmingham is working hard with his client and feels he is more than ready to defend his crown. He said: “Life happens. Keith was involved in the accident and so we took the necessary rest. He saw the right doctors and we’re back now. We’re ready for Shawn Porter.”
“We’re constantly conditioning. We’re working on attacking his style. He’s a short, come-forward brawler who’s going to try to come into Keith’s chest and make it a war. We’re making our adjustments.”
“Keith has to be busier, more in charge fighter. He has to work off of his jab and then his power will keep Porter at bay.”
This is going to be one hell of a fight and too close to pick a winner. Although, Thurman has slight advantage due to the fact he is coming into this fight unbeaten, but ‘Showtime’ holds impressive victories over the likes of Julio Díaz, Devon Alexander, Paulie Malignaggi, and Adrien Broner. The winner of this bout will have to face interim WBA welterweight champion David Avanesyan (22-1, 11 KOs) on order of the WBA.
