WBA World Welterweight Championship: Keith Thurman (c) (26-0) vs. Shawn Porter (26-1-1)
Luke Irwin: Man, everyone I see is just picking Thurman in a walk. I just can’t see it. I mean, sure, Thurman is a more capable traditional boxer in that he has better tools, but Porter just has something right now. Thurman’s recent competition has been stale at best, shot at worst. He’s not going to shut Porter out, and while Porter might get caught with a shot, I think he might frustrate Thurman, too. I think it goes the distance, but it’s closer than most think. Screw it, in for a penny, in for a pound. Porter via SD.
Nolan Howell: One of the more anticipated match-ups of the year and for good reason. Porter has shown incredible intangibles in his rise and has some brutal power when he chooses to use it. Other times, he coasts on those attributes and wears people down clinching while thoroughly outboxing, stifling their output. Thurman is not someone you can do that against though and I believe he is more able to put it together than Porter, who seems to have a split personality in the ring. Thurman could get worn down as Porter tries to win ugly, but I think he’ll swarm him with active and powerful hand and look for the finish. The question is if he can do that for long enough without tiring so Porter can take advantage late. If Thurman fights economically here? Thurman by seventh-round TKO.
Junior Middleweight Bout: Jarrett Hurd (17-0) vs. Oscar Molina (13-0-1)
Luke: This is a card of one superstar title fight, and a bunch of young high-grade A-side prospects leveling up. Hurd via R5 TKO.
NABF Junior Welterweight Championship: Luis Eduardo Florez (21-3) vs. Regios Prograis (17-0)
Luke: No-brainer here, as Prograis’s, ahem, progress, has his trajectory pointed straight up, claiming this secondary belt, and looking at a world title shot within the next couple years. He flattened Aaron Herrera in the first round in his last fight, which was incredibly impressive, while Florez is coming off of a lost. Prograis via R2 TKO.
Light Heavyweight Bout: David Benavidez (14-0) vs. Francy Ntetu (16-0)
Luke: Another tick up in the roller coaster climb that is the young Benavidez’s career. Benavidez via UD.
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