Squared Circle Guide to Thurman/Porter, Anthony Joshua

Squared Circle Guide to Thurman/Porter, Anthony Joshua

Last year we saw Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in a fight that represented boxing's past. This weekend it's the future on display,

Jun 25, 2016 by Jeremy Botter
Squared Circle Guide to Thurman/Porter, Anthony Joshua
By Jonathan Snowden

Last year we saw Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in a fight that represented boxing's past. This weekend it's the future on display, as Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter, two excellent welterweights, square off at the pinnacle of their powers. For the first time since Muhammad Ali fought Leon Spinks, boxing will be back in primetime on CBS. I can't imagine a better fight to lead the charge for our sport.

“This is a great fight. This is what the boxing fans want to see. I truly believe you are looking at two of the best welterweights in the world," Thurman told the press Thursday. "I’m here as an entertainer. I’m here for the love of the sport. The fans want to see these kinds of fights. It’s obvious in the welterweight division that we are the two most exciting and devastating fighters in the division." 

Of course, Thurman/Porter isn't the only bout worth taking note of this weekend. Heavyweight knockout artist Anthony Joshua gets another chance to build his name in America and old friends like Mike Alvarado do battle with newcomers like Jason DeLoach for the attention of a very busy fanbase. 

Which fights are worth watching? Who will win—and why? As we do every week, FloBoxing answers those questions and more in our weekly television guide.
Ricardo Rodriguez (13-3, 4 KOs)  vs. David Quijano (16-5-1, 9 KOs)

Key Info
Date: June 24thNetwork: Telemundo
Promoter: All Star Boxing
Undercard bouts: Sammy Valentin (6-0) vs. Greg Jackson (6-2-1)

Interest Level: Low

Telemundo fight cards are usually no great shakes—and this is not the exception to the rule. Super flyweight is one of the sport’s weakest divisions, and yet these two are pretty run of the mill even considering the low standards there. Most boxing fans couldn't pick either out of a lineup, making this a bout between two nondescript, largely inconsequential fighters. 

In theory the winner could end up facing Naoya Inoue or Pungluang Sor Singyu in a mandatory defense zero people want. Does that mean you should care? Nah. 

As for the fight itself, we’re gonna pick the Puerto Rican guy. But I don't feel particularly good about it either way.

Main Event Prediction: David Quijana by Split Decision

Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs)  vs. Dominic Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs)

Key Info
Date: June 25thNetwork: Showtime
Promoter: Matchroom
Undercard bouts: None shown in the United States
Interest Level: High


The undercard has some wonderful bouts like George Groves vs. Martin Murray and Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Tom Doran that Showtime has not committed to showing, And that is unfortunate. Still, we’re getting the future of the heavyweight division broadcast into our homes less than three months after his last fight. Small miracle, that.

There’s no reason to pretend either that this will likely go long. Breazeale is a big guy, but he’s a big guy woefully out of his element fighting possibly the best boxer/puncher in the entire division. He's fought some decent competition in his career—but they were generally much shorter guys, and with the exception of Amir Mansour, none were hitters. Mansour, who can hit, dropped him in the 3rd round and had him in deep trouble before Breazeale managed to come back and break his jaw. 

Joshua is better schooled, bigger and a better finisher than Mansour. Our best hope is that Breazeale simply provides a modicum of resistance and doesn’t just stand in awe.

Main Event Prediction: Anthony Joshua by 3rd Round KO

Keith Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs)  vs. Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16 KOs)
Key Info
Date: June 25thNetwork: CBS
Promoter: Haymon Boxing
Undercard bouts: Jarrett Hurd (17-0) vs. Oscar Molina (13-0-1)
Interest Level: High


The major storyline going into this fight from boxing media has little to do with the contest and everything to do with Premier Boxing Champions (the Haymon branded boxing series/league/whatever) and the various failings of that organization over the last 2 years. To some the actual bout —one that features two of the world's top five welterweights in a nearly even odds fight—is secondary. And that’s too bad. 

Thurman has never faced anyone at this level before. This isn’t to say that he’s untested. Wins over Robert Guerrero, Diego Chaves, Luis Collazo, Carlos Quintana and Jesus Soto-Karass matter. They’re good B and C class wins for a top welterweight. And, outside of the Collazo fight where he stumbled, he’s generally looked good doing it. He has real fight ending power and the ability to box and move most punchers only dream of. 

Across the ring, Shawn Porter is a fighter who clearly appears to have a lower ceiling than Thurman. While he was an Olympian and a former title holder in the weight class, Porter needed two fights to manage a win over Julio Diaz and lost to Kell Brook. But potential, even vast potential like the kind Thurman possesses, often turns out to be illusory. Porter is probably stronger than Thurman, able to out muscle him inside, and will be aggressive. As his knockouts of sturdy fighters like Paulie Malignaggi suggest, he can definitely hit hard.

There's reason to fear, unfortunately, that this fight will be boring. That Thurman might move backwards throughout forcing a chase. Worse still, Porter could run to meet him round after round— only to grab and hold when he gets there like he did against Adrien Broner and Devon Alexander. 

We’ll go on a limb and suggest that this analysis is pretty much dead wrong. 

Thurman doesn’t run. Ever. In his only “boring” performances, he's been forced to chase men who didn’t want to fight. In those instances, even the likes of Mike Tyson can been rendered dull. Porter will probably clinch inside, but not to a John Ruiz like degree. He’s sturdy enough to stand up to some shots and will be looking to land ones of his own, not jab and grab. 

I don’t know that it can possibly be the “fight of the year” candidate the promoters are attempting to hype. But it will certainly be entertaining, and odds are good for a knockdown given the competitors. Maybe even a couple. In this case, we’re taking the guy with the higher ceiling and the skills to give Porter trouble by essentially outboxing him, creating angles and landing big shots as he comes in. This fight is as close as they come—but it's Thurman's to lose.

Main Event Prediction: Keith Thurman by Split Decision


Jason DeLoach (14-1, 8 KOs)  vs. Junior Castillo (10-0, 9 KOs)
Key Info
Date: June 25thNetwork: NBC Sports Net
Promoter: Leija Battah Promotions
Undercard bouts: Darwin Price (9-0) vs. Semajay Thomas (7-0)
Interest Level: Low


This is actually not a bad fight card, with some solid prospects taking center stage.  But in a weekend with so much activity it's almost certain to get lost in the shuffle. 

DeLoach recently shot up the charts with a 4th round stoppage against Dillon Cook, showing a ton in his first performance under the watchful eye of Paul Williams. Junior Castillo surprised many by pulling out a decision win over Kyrone Davis a couple of months ago on Fox Sports 1 in a fairly competitive fight. Both are probably looking at futures in the very open super middleweight division—I think they’ll each get opportunities moving forward regardless of the winner here. 
DeLoach is taller and probably the better schooled athlete.  Castillo is more of a slugger who can be hit. Despite one notch in the loss column, I think DeLoach has real potential. He'll show it here.

Main Event Prediction: Jason DeLoach by Unanimous Decision


Mike Alvarado (35-4, 24 KOs)  vs. Josh Torres (15-4-2, 7 KOs)
Key Info
Date: June 25thNetwork: UniMas
Promoter: Top Rank
Undercard bouts: Matt Korobov (25-1) vs. Bryan Vera (23-10)
Interest Level: Low


Josh Torres lost to a 7-7-2 fighter just two fights ago and has never beaten a quality opponent. If you guessed that makes Alvarado the A-side here, gold star for you.

Once a known commodity as an action fighter, Alvarado seemed down for the count due to personal demons. But, we're told, he's got his life together and career on track. And, while fans are right to be cynical, he did beat a talented fighter in March to start his comeback and there's no reason to believe he can’t do the same again here. 

Matvey Korobov appears on the undercard—he was once considered the future of the Middleweight division. Now he’s just another guy hoping to score a Golovkin date. Vera should be helpful in that respect, as he is now thoroughly washed up and chinny.  

Main Event Prediction: Mike Alvarado by 6th Round KO