Keith Thurman beat Robert Guerrero Saturday evening in the main event of boxing’s first prime-time extravaganza on NBC since 1985. Thurman used the outside of the ring effectively and his tantivy hand speed to hit Guerrero at will.
Although Guerrero rallied in the final couple of rounds, it was not a close fight. Thurman won via scores of 120-107, 118-109, and 118-109. Guerrero displayed prodigious courage. In what would normally be a desultory final three rounds, Guerrero smothered Thurman against the ropes, albeit he was unable to mount anything substantial.
Although he won a majority of the rounds, Thurman looked clearly winded toward the end of the fight.
Speaking before the fight, trainer Robert Garcia said he believed Premier Boxing Champions would be great for boxing and return the sport to the levels it used to be at.
“I’m excited about it. I was too young to remember that. I remember those big fights with Leonard (Sugar Ray Leonard) and everyone, but I just didn’t remember all the networks that were doing it,” said Garcia. “It’s big. The way they are doing it with such big fights that should be on HBO and Showtime and putting them on prime-time TV, it’s unbelievable.
I’m glad somebody is doing this for boxing. It’s going to make a whole turnaround for the entire boxing world. Some people may not be happy, but most of the boxing world is going to be happy about it.
It was clear during the final three rounds that Keith Thurman was winded. He allowed Guerrero to cut off the ring and thwart his attacks in a last desperate move to win the fight, to no avail.
One fighter that comes into mind that would fit perfectly stylistically in a fight is the Argentinian slugger Marcos Maidana. If “Chino” traps Thurman on the ropes, it could mean trouble for “One Time.” When asked if Maidana or Mikey Garcia would fight on NBC, Garcia had good news for the fans.
“Chino is already there. If he fights this year or the following year, he’ll be on NBC . He’s already signed with a company. Mikey is still having issues with his promotion, but hopefully we’ll work out things soon.”
