Thurman vs. Guerrero Fight Preview:
NBC is bringing boxing action back to regular broadcast television in style, and a prime example of their high quality matchmaking is March 7th’s Las Vegas fight card, headlined by Keith Thurman vs. Robert Guerrero. The bout pits the division’s #6 boxer, Thurman, against its #9, so the winner will leave the bottom half of the Top 10 for the top. That transition is far more important than the dubious “interim WBA title” at stake. Add to that everyone’s favorite pugilist to scorn, Adrien Broner, taking on John Molina, and you have a solid fight night.
Robert Guerrero (32-2-1, 18 KOs)
- 5’8″ tall
- 70″ reach
- Southpaw
- 31 years old
“The Ghost” is a boxer-puncher, but one who hasn’t carried his 126 lbs power up to 147 lbs. His punch is respectable for a welterweight, but that is all. His main assets are his solid chin, big heart, southpaw ways and veteran’s experience.
In terms of heart, most boxing fans are familiar with his wife’s struggle with leukemia, and he is the kind of guy who always comes prepared and looking to win no matter the odds. In terms of chin, while Guerrero has been hurt in his career, he has never been hurt badly and never been out. Finally, it’s hard to imagine a situation Guerrero hasn’t seen yet, so he is very salty.
Keith Thurman (24-0, 21 KOs)
- 5′ 7 1/2″ tall
- 69″ reach
- 26 years old
“One Time” is an odd duck in the respect that he is a boxer-puncher with a slugger’s reputation, but not a very aggressive one. One rarely sees Thurman going forward. Instead, he prefers to stick and move, usually pitching his power on the back pedal. Knocking guys out on the back foot requires truly impressive force and technique, so on that note Thurman is the real deal.
Against that, his opposition to date has consisted of fringe contenders at best, so Guerrero is a real step up. Furthermore, he has been staggered by some of those fringe guys, so his chin rates as merely average.
Analysis
If you follow one of the classic rules of boxing, that in a battle of two punchers it is he who catches best who wins, then Guerrero should win this fight. All things considered, The Ghost might actually be able to dent One Time’s chin, diminished power and all, but Thurman has little chance of seriously hurting Guerrero without some luck.
Yet that is not the only factor to consider. Thurman is a measure faster than Guerrero, a practiced mover, and the height and reach difference between the two men is marginal. Guerrero will have to walk Thurman down to put the hurt on him, and I don’t think The Ghost has the spectral stuff to do that.
Preview
Thurman will employ his back pedal and pick off power shots strategy with enough success to carry a clear majority of the rounds in this fight. Guerrero will have his moments, and those will be the sole source of drama in this fight.
Frankly, I think it might turn out to be a bit of a slow night, despite the high quality promise, because Thurman’s style only promises excitement when his opponent is seriously over-matched, and that isn’t the case here. Thurman keeps his negligible belt and his “0” on points, but won’t win any new fans in doing so.
Thurman vs. Guerrero Prediction
Keith Thurman UD12 Robert Guerrero
