By Ian S Palmer
Americans Keith Thurman of Clearwater, Florida and Robert Guerrero of Gilroy, California will go at it on March 7th in Las Vegas in a 12-round bout for Thurman’s WBA Welterweight Title. This bout can be seen live across Canada and the U.S. on the NBC free-to-air television network as part of the first broadcast between NBC and Al Haymon. It’s in prime time and will hopefully keep boxing in the public eye on a regular basis across North America.
The 31-year-old Guerrero of will be entering the ring with a record of 32-2-1 with 18 Kos. He stands 5-feet-8-inches tall and the southpaw has a 70-inch reach. Guerrero has moved up in weight a few times during his career and has gone from 126 lbs to 147 lbs. However, his power hasn’t really accompanied him on his journey upward. He has a solid chin and is known as a good boxer/puncher who likes to put the pressure on his opponents. He has 237 fought rounds since turning pro in 2001 and has a never-say-die attitude.
The 26-year-old Thurman is unbeaten so far in his pro career, which began in 2007 as he’s 24-0 and has 21 Kos to his name. He’s just over 5-feet-7-inches tall and has a 69-inche reach. Although his KO record might suggest it, Thurman isn’t a big one-punch knockout artist. Instead, he’ll stop his opponents via an accumulation of fast, sharp shots. He’s got a lot of speed and snap behind his punches, but seems to be in no hurry to stop his opponents. He likes to establish his jab and then stick and move while landing accurate shots. He’s got 93 rounds of pro experience under his belt.
Thurman has fought some decent boxers in the past, but will be stepping up in class a bit by meeting Guerrero. If there is any weakness to Thurman’s game it could be his chin as he’s been rocked more than once n the past. Thurman will rely on his boxing skills and speed here while Guerrero would rather mix things up on the inside and turn it into a bit of a brawl. Guerrero needs to get close to Thurman without catching a lot of leather on his way in. The potential is here for some excitement if Thurman gets hurt and is forced to slug it out, but other than that he’ll be happy with a decision.
Prediction
Guerrero is a solid test for Thurman and should give him a good go for the money. However, he needs to force Thurman to fight as much as he can. Thurman isn’t a stationary target and his movement and speed will give Guerrero problems. Guerrero doesn’t have a good chance in a boxing match, but he does if it’s a brawl. Thurman realizes this though and will stick and move and land quick, accurate shots to dance his way to a 12-round decision.
