Fight Breakdown: Keith Thurman – Danny Garcia

In my opinion, the Keith Thurman-Danny Garcia fight this weekend may have been one of the least technically-skilled championship fights in welterweight history. Many thought that this fight was a snoozer, but I didn’t. I understand the worries of a fighter – going up against another undefeated champion with good KO power. As such, it was evident to me that they TRIED to be a bit more strategic in their performance, and, inevitably, the most strategic fighter of the evening won.

You never want to get too comfortable in the ring and engage in a fistical shoot out with another fighter who also has the reputation of knocking people senseless. Just ask James Kirkland. So Thurman boxed and moved against Garcia and was able to land some combinations against his opponent, and get out while taking minimal punishment. Intelligent boxing.

In terms of skill and TECHNICAL PROWESS, I thought that this fight was sloppily fought on both ends. Both fighters pretty much failed to throw straight, crisp punches for the better part of the fight. There was a lot of wild, flailing hooks and haymakers being thrown. Thurman boxes well enough to beat another fighter who can’t boxing at all. That, mixed with his punching power, is what’s keeping him a champion these days in my opinion.

Photo courtesy of Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment.

As for Garcia, it seems as though you just have to stick and move if you want to win. I would advise you have a good chin, also. Garcia can crack! Though he has issues with fighters who don’t stand right in front of him so he can hit them, I’m excited to see what’s up at the 147-pound division. We got Andre Berto vs. Sean Porter coming up next, and now that Keith Thurman just got the biggest win of his career. What’s up with him at the division? Did this win give Thurman enough leverage where he can possibly duck the winner of Spence vs. Brook? I feel that those will be the toughest fights for Thurman at 147.