At the USF Sundrome, Tampa, Florida, Keith Thurman defended his WBA Welterweight title via 8th round TKO. Veteran Luis Collazo failed to leave his stool, telling his corner he couldn’t see due to a nasty cut over his right eye. In theory, this bout should have been decided via Technical Decision – but since Thurman dominated the affair, it’s storm in a teacup-type stuff.
Thurman (26-0, 22 KO) was all business tonight, and looked as impressive as possible against Collazo, a seasoned, solid veteran. His New Yorker foe applied constant pressure during the fight, but for the most part, Thurman looked comfortable.
Though it was mostly one-way traffic as far as telling, clean blows were concerned, Collazo nearly blasted out Thurman in the 5th round. Collazo (36-7, 19 KO) drove home a rib-crunching liver shot that buckled Thurman and sent him into retreat, wincing. Thurman rode out the storm and showed great heart in doing so, refusing to go down or even take a tactical knee.
Going into the 8th, BoxingBase.com had it 69-64 for ‘One Time’. The Florida native of course called Mayweather out – which was of course to be expected.
Thurman vs Collazo undercard action featured a major upset with Willie Nelson stopping undefeated favorite Tony Harrison in the 9th round. Harrison (23-1, 18 KO) ate a huge right-hand that dropped him hard, forcing the referee to rightly call it off.
At that time, Boxing Base had Nelson (24-2-1, 14 KO) behind, with the fight at 78-74. It should be known that this bout was incredibly difficult to score, which is testament to the quality of both combatants.
Before the shocker, Edner Cherry also scored a 9th round TKO, stopping Luis Cruz. Also, Antonio Tarver scored a Unanimous Decision over Oscar Gonzalez, and Carlos Garcia a Majority Decision over Manny Woods.
Thurman vs Collazo Round by Round
Round 1: Thurman looking to apply effective pressure, throwing only when necessary. Looking for big right-hand, Collazo moving well. Collazo defensively sound here, elusive. Thurman couldn’t pin down Collazo in the opener. Thurman, 10-9
Round 2: Collazo has a good pair of legs on him, good footwork. He will have to let those hands go, though. Thurman coiled like a cobra. Again, he cannot find the chin of Collazo. Collazo knows how to make himself small, is obviously well-schooled. Thurman left-hook lands home. Finding range center ring. Collazo coming forward. Thurman lands right-hand before bell. Thurman, 10-9 (20-18)
Round 3: Collazo comes forward, but is punished by Thurman. Collazo still on front foot. Goes to body. Lightning straight-counters from Thurman! Setting traps! Thurman boxing well, cleaver stuff. Thurman, 10-9 (30-27)
Round 4: Thurman opening up now, growing in confidence. Collazo still that durable, tough fighter. Collazo coming forward, but hitting air. A little too predictable. Thurman punching through Collazo’s tight guard. Collazo going hard to the body. Thurman turns Collazo and lands right-hand. Both men trading big shots! Good round for Collazo, great round for Thurman! Thurman, 10-9 (40-36)
Round 5: Thurman jumps on Collazo right away, hurts Collazo upstairs and downstairs! Collazo weathers storm. Collazo still happy to come forward once again and apply pressure, but Thurman very comfortable. Collazo falling short a lot here. Body shot from Collazo. Collazo hurts Thurman, chasing him down! Thurman still dominated round, 10-9 (50-45)
Round 6: Collazo going after that body! Thurman of course more tentative here, filling his lungs back up. Collazo really fancies this fight! He is swinging, and landing. Thurman protecting that body. He has not recovered yet. Thurman using those feet. Collazo cut over right eye, bleeding now. Collazo, 10-9 (59-55)
Round 7: Thurman dancing well, in and out. Collazo just coming forward, lands left-hook counter. Thurman landing the more leather. Combinations. Left-hook from Thurman. Another solid left. Thurman back to business now. Thurman, 10-9 (69-64)
Round 8: Round doesn’t begin – Collazo retires, pulls out of fight due to cut. It would seem this could have been won on a Technical Decision rather than TKO as cut was from clash of heads. It appears Collazo may have simply had enough – perhaps that is what happened here?
Result: Thurman wins via 8th round TKO
BoxingBase.com Scorecard: 69-64 (going into 8th), Thurman
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