Keith Thurman returns after nearly a three year layoff to a still stacked and hungry welterweight division. One of the most exciting fighters in boxing has not been seen since his decision loss to Manny Pacquiao in July of 2019.
Keith “One Time” Thurman will be welcoming newcomer Mario Barrios to the 147 lb. division as Barrios is coming off his first professional loss in a career that has expanded across seven years.
Though Thurman is the elder fighter here at 33 and coming off a long layoff, he was one of the best welterweights in the world at his peak form in 2016. It remains to be seen just how much he has left in his career against a younger, hungry fighter who is looking to carry over his size and power to a new division.
Barrios had a coming out party even in defeat last summer. He made Tank look human which had yet to happen in his young career but Barrios managed to make it a fight up until the power of Tank started to shift the momentum in almost an instant.
Barrios made a lot of fans that night against Tank Davis in his loss as his style makes it a fun fight against nearly everyone. I expect it to be an entertaining scrap for the returning Keith Thurman who looks to get back in the win column in this twelve round fight – and I think he does just that. Unfortunately for Barrios he is just too hittable and had not faced the elite of the elite until he met Gervonta Davis. Thurman’s ring rust is definitely something to keep an eye on but, his power and speed should still be there to help him get the edge over Barrios. “One Time” will be able to slowly take over the fight as he shakes off the three year layoff using an effective jab to his advantage and adding in a wide variety of punches to both confuse and stun Barrios – possibly leading the younger fighter into a fire fight which is Thurman’s bread and butter.
Prop: Keith Thurman Wins By Decision (+145)
