War of the ‘Boxing Roses’-Thurman vs. Porter
BoxingGlove Notes
Distinio Lois, Jr.
From boyhood friends to serious boxing rivals appears to be the future of Keith “One Time” Thurman and Shawn “Showtime” Porter when they meet in the Barclays Center ring Saturday, June 25, 2016 in a championship eliminator title fight to determine who is the top Welterweight in the world, second to none.
A lot of emotions are riding high in this fight since Keith and Shawn are boyhood friends who were on the same boxing teams as teammates, sparred together and now are fierce rivals for the entire 147 pound marbles.
Keith Thurman, 26-0-1, 22 knockouts born in Clearwater, Florida of an African-American father and Polish-Hungarian mother, is the current W.B.A. Welterweight champ who began boxing in 1997 at a very young age compiling an outstanding fight record of 101-16, 76 knockouts earning the nickname of “One Time”.
Thurman won 6 National titles before he made his pro debut on November 9, 2007, winning the W.B.A. Welterweight crown in July 27, 2013 defeating Diego Gabriel Chaves, Argentina, by a knockout 28 seconds of the 10th round. Thurman still undefeated, has successfully defended his title 5 times.
On the other side of the ring, Shawn “Showtime” Porter, 26-1-1, 16 k.o.’s, from Akron, Ohio, and former I.B.F. 147 pound champ, was also an amateur boxing standout with a fight record of 276-14 but fought as a middleweight. He holds amateur fight decisions over 2 current world champs, Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs, W.B.A. Middleweight Champ, and Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, W.B.A. International Junior Middleweight Champ.
Porter also played football at Stow-Monroe High School as an All-Conference Safety in his Junior and Senior year.
Shawn Porter made his pro debut October 3rd 2008 winning 25 straight fights scoring 14 knockouts which included defeating Devon Alexander by decision December 7th 2013 and winning the I.B.F. 147 pound crown. Porter’s only loss was in August 8, 2014 to Londoner Kell Brook losing his I.B.F. World Title.
Because of the ring star power of these 2 gladiators former champs and ring rivals Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard stated that this event could be as exciting and tense as their 15 round championship fight named “The Showdown” by many on September 16th 1981, at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada.
It was a see-saw battle with Hearns pulling ahead in the early rounds as he out boxed and hurt Leonard, even closing his left eye, as Trainer Angelo Dundee pleaded with Leonard to “step it up Ray you’re losing it “.
In the 14th round gutty and determined Leonard threw a left hook to Hearn’s body followed by a desperate right hand to his head which hurt him.
As Leonard rushed forward throwing a combination of punches as a severely hurt Hearns leaned on the ropes for support, referee Davey Pearl rushed forward and stopped the fight as a defenseless Hearns was unable to fight back.
Could this be the correct prediction for this impending fistic war between Thurman and Porter? It is possible since both have impressive amateur credentials and individually became world champs with Thurman remaining undefeated and Porter suffering only one loss.
Not satisfied with just giving the fans an exciting main event promoters Lou DiBella, DiBella Entertainment and Al Haymon, Premier Boxing Champions included 8 other fights of up and coming super boxing talents already knocking on the door for world a title fight such as fan and Brooklyn home town favorite, Featherweight Heather “The Heat” Hardy, 16-0, 4 knockouts vs. Kirstie Simmons 8-1, 2 k.o.’s. , Aurora, Co.
Hardy is one of the todays best in the crew of women boxers that have come up through years since the glory days of Laila Ali, Christie “The Farmer’s Daughter” Martin and Jackie Frazier-Joe Frazier’s daughter.
Additionally, the promoters cannot allow the Greatest-Muhammad Ali-to leave us that easily.
A special memorial program is being planned for Ali that night especially since this is the first boxing main event celebrated by C.B.S. TV since the then young and untested Olympic Gold Medalist Leon Spinks scored an upset decision over Ali in 1978, winning the heavyweight title.
I am getting the impression that the boxing promoters lately are beginning to sense what the fight fans want in terms of good quality fight matches, and they are delivering.
It could not get any better than Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter and a very talented supporting fight card on a Saturday night. That’s a date I’ll keep.
