BACK ON OUR SCREENS
Paul Wheeler previews Thurman’s rst ght for nearly two years
After a near-two-year absence, The Thurman Show is returning
IN 2016 and 2017, Keith Thurman’s nickname was very apt. “One Time” only fought the one time in each of these years. In June 2016, he earned a close unanimous points victory over fellow world-class welterweight Shawn Porter to retain his WBA crown. Just over eight months later, he added the WBC belt to his collection by edging past the previously unbeaten Danny Garcia on a split verdict. Unfortunately for the Clearwater, Florida native, elbow and hand injuries would keep him out of action for the entirety of 2018, resulting in him having to relinquish his WBC title. The WBA strap remains around his waist, however, and it is this championship that he will defend on Saturday (January 26) inside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, live on ITV4 (UK) and FOX (US). Dibella Entertainment and TGB co-promote.
Thurman’s challenger will be California’s Josesito Lopez, 36-7 (19) 1NC, who is no stranger to coming up against big names as a significant underdog. “The Riverside Rocky” has put in brave but ultimately losing efforts against the likes of Jessie Vargas, Canelo Alvarez, Marcos Maidana and Andre Berto. He is arguably best known, though, for breaking Victor Ortiz’s jaw en route to pulling off a shock ninth-round retirement win in June 2012. The 34-year-old has not been hugely active of late, having only competed once a year since 2015. Despite being a massive outsider in this fight, Lopez does possess advantages in height and experience over Thurman, 28-0 (22) 1NC. With his rugged, allaction approach, he will look to capitalise on any potential rustiness from the favourite. The versatile Thurman, 30, may well be lacking some of his usual sharpness, but his heavy-handed assaults will be too much for his game opponent to take. The champion can retain inside the distance.