PBC: Keith Thurman vs. Robert Guerrero – A Closer Look

Photo by Herbert Diaz

This Saturday night, the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas will shine just a little brighter, blushing on the Vegas skyline with a slightly more ominous glow because of the excitement in the air thanks to boxing manager extraordinaire, Al Haymon.  The world renowned advisor to countless current and former champions as well as promising up and comers has put together his boxing brand known as the Premier Boxing Champions series in order to bring back high-level, quality matches to cable television. The inaugural show this weekend marks the first time in years that professional boxing has surfaced on NBC. Out of the close to 200 fighters to be featured on the Haymon Sports roster, a pair of superb welterweights will collide to main event the show from Sin City. Here is a closer look as to what to expect when Keith Thurman and Robert Guerrero meet inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Photo by Herbert Diaz

Keith “One-Time” Thurman (24-0 w21 KOs) puts his perfect record as well as his coveted WBA World Welterweight Title on the line for his first main event in Las Vegas. The Floridian brings into the ring an impressive KO ratio of 84% and has brutally knocked out 11 out of his last 13 opponents. If fans are looking for the next human highlight reel, then they need to look no further than the man known as, “One Time”.  A professional boxer since 2007, this Olympic Trials Silver Medalist seriously turned heads with his 4^th round TKO demolition of former WBO World Welterweight champion, Carlos Quintana in 2012. From there it was on to the slick, ex-title holder Jan Zaveck in 2013 that Thurman beat via unanimous decision before racking up two vicious stoppages that year. The first, a 10^th round KO of previously undefeated Diego Chaves before closing out the year with a 9^th round KO of tough as nails, Jesus Soto-Karass.  In 2014 the pride of Florida continued his ruthless assault on the division as he punished Julio Diaz into submission via TKO in the 3^rd round; Diaz’ corner opted not answer the bell for the beginning of the 4^th round. Thurman closed out the year as the co-main event of Khan vs. Alexander where he handed previously unbeaten Leonard Bundu his first professional loss via unanimous decision.

Photo by Herbert Diaz

Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (32-2-1 w/18 KOs) kicks off the year with a bang stepping into this explosive bout exactly 20 days from his 32^nd birthday. The Gilroy, California native plans to stay allot more active in the ring both literally and figuratively seeing as how we have only seen Guerrero in the squared circle twice during the past 2 years. Prior to those layoffs the Junior Olympic Gold Medalist’s momentum blossomed behind solid unanimous decision triumphs. The ball really got rolling in 2010 as he took wins over the crafty Joel Casamayor and the seasoned Vicente Escobedo. An upset win over blood & guts warrior, Michael Katsidis in 2011 via unanimous decision was then followed by two more lopsided verdicts over the previously unbeaten, Selcuk Aydin and ex-title holder, Andre Berto in 2012. The upset of Berto propelled Guerrero to the biggest pay day of his career locking in a 2013 fight with “Pound for Pound” king, Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Unfortunately, the Californian suffered defeat that night, only the second of his pro career. Not one to dwell endlessly on a loss, the former interim WBC Welterweight World Champion came back in the summer of 2014 with a vengeance taking a clear cut decision over Yoshihiro Kamegai. Now, healthy, refocused and prepped to garner new fans for his NBC debut, “The Ghost” plans to vanish any fears from his loyal followers that he is no longer a top tier player in the crowded welterweight division.

If styles make fights, then this bout is sure to be a sadistic, bloody, action-packed delicacy for hardcore fans or the new ones tuning in for the first installment of the PBC series. It’s no secret that both of these men operate at optimal efficiency when controlling space. However, Thurman’s random tendencies to dart out of the pocket or turn the corner while carrying his hands at his waist are sure to be exploited by his foe. Guerrero thrives on the fact that he has one powerful gear in his arsenal; forward. His bread and butter is pressure, and the Mexican-American is masterful at crowding his opponents, not caring whatsoever if the contest is molded into a rough, dirty fight.  Guerrero loves to bury his head into his adversaries face, chest, collar bone or whatever inch of skin is available for temporary rent. Nonetheless, this may very well be a recipe for disaster seeing as how Thurman packs a wicked uppercut that materializes out of nowhere yet, its second nature to him.  Enhance the madness another level thanks to The Ghost’s borderline irrational willingness to engage which, may prove costly if he does not tighten up his defense against a heavy hitter like Thurman. While Guerrero is great at slipping most punches by creating angles then turning his head accordingly, it’ usually lacks lateral movement.

Whichever way you cut it; this is a can’t-miss, talked about on Monday morning at work-type of battle in the ever popular 147lbs weight class. The fan friendly fight serves simultaneously as a tribute to the greats of the past that fought before them on cable TV as well as a refreshing standard bearer for the new generation of televised combat sports. Headlined from the fight capitol of the world by two action stars in their prime the icing on the cake is that this bout is fun, its fireworks and it’s free. This is how Al Haymon kicks off March madness in a big boxing way live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the inaugural episode of the Premier Boxing Champions series on NBC.

Photo by Herbert Diaz