Tag: Thurman vs Barrios

Fight Week: Keith Thurman to make his return against Mario Barrios

Fight Week: Keith Thurman will make his return to the ring against Marios Barrios on Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Keith Thurman returns from a 2½-year layoff to face Mario Barrios. Carlos Cuadras, Chris Eubank Jr. and Claressa Shields also are in action on a busy weekend.

Keith Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) vs. Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 5
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Welterweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Thurman 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Abel Ramos vs. Lucas Santamaria, welterweights; Leo Santa Cruz vs. Keenan Carbajal
  • Prediction: Thurman KO 10
  • Background: Thurman, a former 147-pound titleholder, is returning from a 2½-year layoff in an attempt to regain his prominence. The athletic, hard-punching Floridian was last in the ring in July 2019, when he lost his WBA belt in an upset against 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao. The long hiatus, mostly a product of the coronavirus pandemic, has allowed him time to recover from nagging injuries and make a fresh start. He has said he feels as fit as ever at 33. We’ll see whether ring rust is a factor in the fight. If he defeats Barrios, he said, he hopes to fight for a major title in his next fight. Barrios will be making his debut as a full-fledged welterweight. The 26-year-old from San Antonio is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss at junior welterweight against Gervonta Davis, who moved up in weight to fight him. He’s a good boxer-puncher who will have youth the fact he has been active on his side. Key questions for him: 1. How much does Thurman have left? 2. Will he be able to handle the power of a 147-pounder and do damage himself.

 

Carlos Cuadras (39-4-1, 27 KOs) vs. Jesse Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 5
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior bantamweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: Vacant WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Jamie Mitchell vs. Carly Skelly, bantamweights (for Mitchell’s WBA title); Raymond Ford vs. Edward Vazquez, featherweights
  • Prediction: Cuadras UD
  • Background: Cuadras, the former 115-pound titleholder, was supposed to have faced Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in a much anticipated rematch on Saturday and titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada was slated to face rival Roman Gonzalez on March 5 in a mini-tournament. However, the party has been spoiled. Both Sor Rungvisai and Estrada pulled out of their fights because of illness. Rodriguez, who had been scheduled to fight on Saturday’s card, agreed to step in this past weekend. And Gonzalez will face 112-pound champ Julio Cesar Martinez. Cuadras, 33, hasn’t held a major belt since 2016, when Gonzalez took it from him by decision. The Mexican is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss in a title challenge against Estrada in October 2020, his most-recent fight. Rodriguez, who had been scheduled to face Fernando Diaz, will be taking a significant step up in opposition. The southpaw from San Antonio was a good junior amateur who can box and punch. And he’s in a groove, having stopped his last six opponents. We’ll find out whether it’s too early for him to face a foe of Cuadras’ caliber and experience.

 

Chris Eubank Jr. (31-2, 23 KOs) vs. Liam Williams (23-3-1, 18 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 5
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales
  • TV/Stream: FITE
  • Division: Middleweights
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Eubank 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin, middleweights (for Shields’ IBF, WBA and WBC titles); Samuel Antwi vs. Conah Walker, welterweights; Chris Jenkins vs. Julius Indongo, welterweights
  • Prediction: Eubank UD
  • Background: Eubank is on a roll. The 32-year-old son of Chris Eubank has won five consecutive fights since he lost a unanimous decision to George Groves in 2018, including victories over Marcus Morrison and Wanik Awdijan last year. The fight against Williams is probably his most significant since he upset James DeGale by a unanimous decision in 2019. Eubank is seeking a fight against the winner of a projected title-unification bout between Gennadiy Golovkin and Ryota Murata if he wins on Saturday. Williams was outclassed by titleholder Demetrius Andrade in his most-recent bout, last April in Florida. He lost a wide decision in his first major title fight. However, Williams also was on a hot streak before that setback, with seven consecutive victories since back-to-back losses to Liam Smith in 2017. Williams is a solid boxer with heavy hands. His last 15 victories have come by knockout. In the co-feature, Claressa Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) returns to boxing after an 11-month hiatus. She’ll defend her middleweight titles against Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs) of Slovenia.

Fight Week: Keith Thurman to make his return against Mario Barrios

Fight Week: Keith Thurman will make his return to the ring against Marios Barrios on Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Keith Thurman returns from a 2½-year layoff to face Mario Barrios. Carlos Cuadras, Chris Eubank Jr. and Claressa Shields also are in action on a busy weekend.

Keith Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) vs. Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 5
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Welterweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Thurman 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Abel Ramos vs. Lucas Santamaria, welterweights; Leo Santa Cruz vs. Keenan Carbajal
  • Prediction: Thurman KO 10
  • Background: Thurman, a former 147-pound titleholder, is returning from a 2½-year layoff in an attempt to regain his prominence. The athletic, hard-punching Floridian was last in the ring in July 2019, when he lost his WBA belt in an upset against 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao. The long hiatus, mostly a product of the coronavirus pandemic, has allowed him time to recover from nagging injuries and make a fresh start. He has said he feels as fit as ever at 33. We’ll see whether ring rust is a factor in the fight. If he defeats Barrios, he said, he hopes to fight for a major title in his next fight. Barrios will be making his debut as a full-fledged welterweight. The 26-year-old from San Antonio is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss at junior welterweight against Gervonta Davis, who moved up in weight to fight him. He’s a good boxer-puncher who will have youth the fact he has been active on his side. Key questions for him: 1. How much does Thurman have left? 2. Will he be able to handle the power of a 147-pounder and do damage himself.

 

Carlos Cuadras (39-4-1, 27 KOs) vs. Jesse Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 5
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior bantamweight
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: Vacant WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Jamie Mitchell vs. Carly Skelly, bantamweights (for Mitchell’s WBA title); Raymond Ford vs. Edward Vazquez, featherweights
  • Prediction: Cuadras UD
  • Background: Cuadras, the former 115-pound titleholder, was supposed to have faced Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in a much anticipated rematch on Saturday and titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada was slated to face rival Roman Gonzalez on March 5 in a mini-tournament. However, the party has been spoiled. Both Sor Rungvisai and Estrada pulled out of their fights because of illness. Rodriguez, who had been scheduled to fight on Saturday’s card, agreed to step in this past weekend. And Gonzalez will face 112-pound champ Julio Cesar Martinez. Cuadras, 33, hasn’t held a major belt since 2016, when Gonzalez took it from him by decision. The Mexican is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss in a title challenge against Estrada in October 2020, his most-recent fight. Rodriguez, who had been scheduled to face Fernando Diaz, will be taking a significant step up in opposition. The southpaw from San Antonio was a good junior amateur who can box and punch. And he’s in a groove, having stopped his last six opponents. We’ll find out whether it’s too early for him to face a foe of Cuadras’ caliber and experience.

 

Chris Eubank Jr. (31-2, 23 KOs) vs. Liam Williams (23-3-1, 18 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 5
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales
  • TV/Stream: FITE
  • Division: Middleweights
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Eubank 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin, middleweights (for Shields’ IBF, WBA and WBC titles); Samuel Antwi vs. Conah Walker, welterweights; Chris Jenkins vs. Julius Indongo, welterweights
  • Prediction: Eubank UD
  • Background: Eubank is on a roll. The 32-year-old son of Chris Eubank has won five consecutive fights since he lost a unanimous decision to George Groves in 2018, including victories over Marcus Morrison and Wanik Awdijan last year. The fight against Williams is probably his most significant since he upset James DeGale by a unanimous decision in 2019. Eubank is seeking a fight against the winner of a projected title-unification bout between Gennadiy Golovkin and Ryota Murata if he wins on Saturday. Williams was outclassed by titleholder Demetrius Andrade in his most-recent bout, last April in Florida. He lost a wide decision in his first major title fight. However, Williams also was on a hot streak before that setback, with seven consecutive victories since back-to-back losses to Liam Smith in 2017. Williams is a solid boxer with heavy hands. His last 15 victories have come by knockout. In the co-feature, Claressa Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) returns to boxing after an 11-month hiatus. She’ll defend her middleweight titles against Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs) of Slovenia.

Mario Barrios faces stiff test against Keith Thurman in 147-pound debut

Mario Barrios will face stiff test against Keith Thurman in his 147-pound debut on Feb. 5.

Mario Barrios is taking a big swing in his debut as a 147-pounder.

The former 140-pound contender is scheduled to face longtime welterweight kingpin Keith Thurman on Feb. 5 in Las Vegas, which follows his 11th-round knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in June.

Why jump directly into such a difficult matchup? Barrios wouldn’t be able to prove anything against a pushover.

“I’ve always said that I want the big fights,” said Barrios, who will be in his second consecutive pay-per-view main event. “I’m not scared to test myself. I don’t want to be one of those fighters who they call the best not fighting the best.

“My reason for taking on Keith Thurman is that I want to prove what I can do in the welterweight division.”

Mario Barrios trains for his welterweight debut against Keith Thurman on Feb. 5. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs) has had seven months to digest what happened against Davis, a rising star and big puncher who moved up in weight to fight him.

He was competitive until Davis put him down with a left to the gut and stopped him with a follow-up flurry in the penultimate round. Of course, he was disappointed to suffer his first loss but he said he grew as a result of the experience.

And he was back in the gym a few weeks after the setback.

“I look at what I did right and I look at what I did wrong,” said Barrios, who has watched the fight multiple times. “Overall it was a great learning experience. Me and my team are happy with my performance even though I came away with my first defeat.

“It’s just part of boxing. I look back on small defensive mistakes I shouldn’t have been making. We worked on those things in this camp so it doesn’t happen again.”

Barrios won’t blame the loss on the difficulty making 140 pounds but it became clear to him that it was time to move up.

He started as a junior bantamweight in 2013, when he was 18 years old. However, he’s a relatively tall 5-foot-10 and had been fighting at 140 since 2017. Moving up to 147 has allowed him to focus more on boxing and less on weight.

“Yeah, I’ve been at 140 for like five years,” he said. “I was noticing fight by fight that it was getting harder and harder to cut the weight. … We had always said that with my frame I would be moving through the divisions. I’m just thankful that my team never tried to keep me at a weight that was draining my body.

“I’m excited to see what I can accomplish at welterweight.”

We should learn a great deal about how Barrios fits in at 147 a week from Saturday.

Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) is coming off a split-decision loss to Manny Pacquiao in July 2019, which cost him his world title. And the 33-year-old has battled a variety of injuries in recent years.

However, at his best, “One Time” is a dynamic boxer-puncher with a number of big-name opponents on his resume. And the time off, 2½ years, has allowed him to recover fully from his injuries.

Barrios recognizes all that but is confident going into the fight because of what he brings to the table.

“I have youth on my side,” he said. “I’m 26. I feel I’m just getting to my prime. And out of the two of us I feel I’m the bigger fighter. I’ll have a reach advantage, as I’ve had in a lot of my fights. My confidence is just as high as his even though he’s more of a talker. I like to let my work talk for me.

“A win against Keith Thurman does a lot. It automatically solidifies my presence in the welterweight division, it puts everyone on notice of what I can do.”

Mario Barrios faces stiff test against Keith Thurman in 147-pound debut

Mario Barrios will face stiff test against Keith Thurman in his 147-pound debut on Feb. 5.

Mario Barrios is taking a big swing in his debut as a 147-pounder.

The former 140-pound contender is scheduled to face longtime welterweight kingpin Keith Thurman on Feb. 5 in Las Vegas, which follows his 11th-round knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in June.

Why jump directly into such a difficult matchup? Barrios wouldn’t be able to prove anything against a pushover.

“I’ve always said that I want the big fights,” said Barrios, who will be in his second consecutive pay-per-view main event. “I’m not scared to test myself. I don’t want to be one of those fighters who they call the best not fighting the best.

“My reason for taking on Keith Thurman is that I want to prove what I can do in the welterweight division.”

Mario Barrios trains for his welterweight debut against Keith Thurman on Feb. 5. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs) has had seven months to digest what happened against Davis, a rising star and big puncher who moved up in weight to fight him.

He was competitive until Davis put him down with a left to the gut and stopped him with a follow-up flurry in the penultimate round. Of course, he was disappointed to suffer his first loss but he said he grew as a result of the experience.

And he was back in the gym a few weeks after the setback.

“I look at what I did right and I look at what I did wrong,” said Barrios, who has watched the fight multiple times. “Overall it was a great learning experience. Me and my team are happy with my performance even though I came away with my first defeat.

“It’s just part of boxing. I look back on small defensive mistakes I shouldn’t have been making. We worked on those things in this camp so it doesn’t happen again.”

Barrios won’t blame the loss on the difficulty making 140 pounds but it became clear to him that it was time to move up.

He started as a junior bantamweight in 2013, when he was 18 years old. However, he’s a relatively tall 5-foot-10 and had been fighting at 140 since 2017. Moving up to 147 has allowed him to focus more on boxing and less on weight.

“Yeah, I’ve been at 140 for like five years,” he said. “I was noticing fight by fight that it was getting harder and harder to cut the weight. … We had always said that with my frame I would be moving through the divisions. I’m just thankful that my team never tried to keep me at a weight that was draining my body.

“I’m excited to see what I can accomplish at welterweight.”

We should learn a great deal about how Barrios fits in at 147 a week from Saturday.

Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) is coming off a split-decision loss to Manny Pacquiao in July 2019, which cost him his world title. And the 33-year-old has battled a variety of injuries in recent years.

However, at his best, “One Time” is a dynamic boxer-puncher with a number of big-name opponents on his resume. And the time off, 2½ years, has allowed him to recover fully from his injuries.

Barrios recognizes all that but is confident going into the fight because of what he brings to the table.

“I have youth on my side,” he said. “I’m 26. I feel I’m just getting to my prime. And out of the two of us I feel I’m the bigger fighter. I’ll have a reach advantage, as I’ve had in a lot of my fights. My confidence is just as high as his even though he’s more of a talker. I like to let my work talk for me.

“A win against Keith Thurman does a lot. It automatically solidifies my presence in the welterweight division, it puts everyone on notice of what I can do.”

Keith Thurman to begin comeback against Mario Barrios on Feb. 5

Keith Thurman will begin his comeback against Mario Barrios on Feb. 5 on pay-per-view.

The last time we saw Keith Thurman was in July of 2019, when Manny Pacquiao turned in one last special performance to win a split decision and take Thurman’s world welterweight title.

More than a year and a half later, on Feb. 5, the 33-year-old former champ will step back into the ring in what he hopes will be the first step toward reclaiming his place atop the celebrated 147-pound division.

Thurman will face Mario Barrios on that date on pay-per-view from Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, it has been officially announced.

“It’s been a long time coming for my return to the ring, and I can’t wait to compete again,” Thurman said. “In 2022, I will remind the world of boxing that Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman is a fighter not to forget.

“I look not to the past nor to the future, I’m back now, and I’m ready to fight. I dream big, and now is the time to make that dream a reality.”

Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) has battled injuries more than opponents in recent years, including elbow and then hand surgery. That’s the main reason he has fought only four times since July 2015, a span of more than six years.

He has said recently that he feels as good as he has in years, which might not bode well for Barrios.

There has been talk of a possible fight with WBO champion and free agent Terence Crawford if Thurman wins on Feb. 5. That would be the kind of high-profile opportunity that is attractive to both men.

Could Barrios spoil Thurman’s plans?

The Texan is coming off the first loss of his career, a spirited effort against Gervonta Davis in June that ended in an 11th round knockout. That fight took place at 140 pounds.

Facing a fighter of Thurman’s track record in his first fight as a full-fledged 147-pounder is a bold move on Barrios’ part. Barrios certainly will be a significant underdog come fight night.

“I’m excited to be making my welterweight debut against a great fighter and former world champion like Keith Thurman,” Barrios said. “A lot of fighters wouldn’t take this fight, but that’s why I wanted it. Both of us like to throw a lot of bombs and I believe this will be an all-out war.

“The fans know I’m a warrior and that I don’t back down from any challenge. That’s why everyone should order this fight. ‘El Azteca’ is going to make a statement on February 5.”

The undercard is deep.

  • Four-division titleholder Leo Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19 KOs) will face Keenan Carbajal (23-2-1, 15 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round featherweight bout.
  • Welterweight contender Abel Ramos (27-4-2, 21 KOs) will take on veteran Josesito Lopez (38-8, 21 KOs).
  • And former junior featherweight titleholder Luis Nery (31-1, 24 KOs) will fight Carlos Castro (27-0, 12 KOs).

Keith Thurman to begin comeback against Mario Barrios on Feb. 5

Keith Thurman will begin his comeback against Mario Barrios on Feb. 5 on pay-per-view.

The last time we saw Keith Thurman was in July of 2019, when Manny Pacquiao turned in one last special performance to win a split decision and take Thurman’s world welterweight title.

More than a year and a half later, on Feb. 5, the 33-year-old former champ will step back into the ring in what he hopes will be the first step toward reclaiming his place atop the celebrated 147-pound division.

Thurman will face Mario Barrios on that date on pay-per-view from Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, it has been officially announced.

“It’s been a long time coming for my return to the ring, and I can’t wait to compete again,” Thurman said. “In 2022, I will remind the world of boxing that Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman is a fighter not to forget.

“I look not to the past nor to the future, I’m back now, and I’m ready to fight. I dream big, and now is the time to make that dream a reality.”

Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) has battled injuries more than opponents in recent years, including elbow and then hand surgery. That’s the main reason he has fought only four times since July 2015, a span of more than six years.

He has said recently that he feels as good as he has in years, which might not bode well for Barrios.

There has been talk of a possible fight with WBO champion and free agent Terence Crawford if Thurman wins on Feb. 5. That would be the kind of high-profile opportunity that is attractive to both men.

Could Barrios spoil Thurman’s plans?

The Texan is coming off the first loss of his career, a spirited effort against Gervonta Davis in June that ended in an 11th round knockout. That fight took place at 140 pounds.

Facing a fighter of Thurman’s track record in his first fight as a full-fledged 147-pounder is a bold move on Barrios’ part. Barrios certainly will be a significant underdog come fight night.

“I’m excited to be making my welterweight debut against a great fighter and former world champion like Keith Thurman,” Barrios said. “A lot of fighters wouldn’t take this fight, but that’s why I wanted it. Both of us like to throw a lot of bombs and I believe this will be an all-out war.

“The fans know I’m a warrior and that I don’t back down from any challenge. That’s why everyone should order this fight. ‘El Azteca’ is going to make a statement on February 5.”

The undercard is deep.

  • Four-division titleholder Leo Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19 KOs) will face Keenan Carbajal (23-2-1, 15 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round featherweight bout.
  • Welterweight contender Abel Ramos (27-4-2, 21 KOs) will take on veteran Josesito Lopez (38-8, 21 KOs).
  • And former junior featherweight titleholder Luis Nery (31-1, 24 KOs) will fight Carlos Castro (27-0, 12 KOs).