Unification bouts do not get bigger than Keith Thurman vs Danny Garcia and on March 4 on ShowTime boxing, the two welterweights will go toe to toe. On the line is the WBC and WBA world titles and the title of the best fighter at 147lbs.
Philadelphia has boxing ingrained into its very being. From the late great Joe Frazier to the recent age defying Bernard Hopkins,it has a habit of producing talented boxers and its latest product is following suite. Trained by his father Angel Garcia, Danny Garcia was often viewed as the underdog but proved that in boxing, critics often find themselves eating their own fists. Having won his first world title against Mexican Legend Erik Morales, Garcia’s career defining moment came against Amir Khan. Going into the fight as the underdog, Garcia stunned the boxing world by flattening Khan and becoming the undisputed lightweight champion. Garcia had to prove his mettle once more when he took on and defeated the bogey man in the division, Lucas Matthysse. Having established himself as the best lightweight on the planet, Garcia chose to move up and test himself against the best welterweights. His crowning moment at welterweight came against Robert Guerrero. Garcia outworked and outfought his opponent to become the WBC world champion. Holding a record of 30-0-0, Garcia has been accustomed to winning. His bread and butter is undoubtedly his left hook but a tough chin,heart and underrated ring IQ present a combination that those his opponents have yet to overcome. On March 4, he will test himself against the best the division has to offer and if victory is to be assured, Garcia must rise to the occasion like he’s done so many times before.
The love for men who can hit hard in boxing is analogous to the love of homerun hitters in baseball. A fruit of his late trainer, Benjamin Getty’s labour, Keith Thurman is a man who not only hits hard but he fights hard too. The Florida native has come through the amateurs with several national championships to his name but it’s his professional career that has caught the boxing world’s attention. With a record of 27-0-0, Thurman’s concussive power has seen off 22 opponents including Diego Chaves during a world title bout. Despite being thoroughly tested against Chaves, the man they call one time downed his opponent in the 10th round to become the WBA world champion. Successful defences against Leonard Bundu, Robert Guerrero, Luis Collazo and most recently Shawn Porter, Thurman has strengthened his claim as the best fighter at 147lbs.It’s important that we don’t get lulled into a false sense of security regarding his power because as shown against Collazo and Porter, digging deep and exercising technical boxing skills are well within his repertoire. The right hand carries the power but his ring IQ, timing and accuracy make him a difficult puzzle for anyone in the world to solve. Thurman will need to utilise all the tools at his disposal on March 4 against an opponent who has a knack for solving puzzles.
Prediction:
Garcia and Thurman stylistically pose similar threats. Both have exceptional timing and the ability to make adjustments and they prefer to fight mid range whilst utilising left hooks and right hands. This contest is a boxing fans wet dream and it’s about as close as you can get to a 50/50 fight. Garcia is deadly with his hooks, in particular his left and he fights well going backwards. Thurman’s go to punch is the right hand down the pipe and he has a very effective uppercuts. When boxer punchers collide it’s usually a fiery affair but the high stakes surrounding this fight and the ability of both men will make this a tightly contested affair. Both possess a great chin so I cannot see either man being finished in this fight. Thurman’s edge however comes in his footwork and variety. He can box in the inside and move well on the outside whilst combining jabs, hooks, upper cuts and right hands. Garcia is the more flat footed fighter and he loves to sit down on his punches and unleash seismic shots. If Garcia is to win this fight, he has to keep this fight in the middle of the ring and target the body. His left hook in particular will be effective to the body, an area we know Thurman has had problems in. The jab will be a useful tool although getting his timing and rhythm will prove his most valuable weapon. Thurman likes the right hand so Garcia should look to counter with his own when optimal. Although Garcia isn’t famed for his inside game, his hooks and body attack could prove effective against Thurman at close quarters and if he can get Thurman to hook with him, Garcia will find himself winning this fight. If Thurman is to win this fight, the jab and movement are crucial. He cannot stand in front of Garcia and present a stationary target. Get Garcia to back up and use the jab creatively to give him food for though. Timing the right hand behind the jab will bring success and tying Garcia up on the inside should limit the body damage. Garcia has had trouble with guys that move so Thurman has to remain active on his feet and give Garcia something to think about. Despite having a good left hook, Thurman should avoid hooking with an accomplished hooker like Garcia. Sticking the jab in his face and countering with the right will win Thurman this fight.
I envisage this being a very close chess match in the first 6 rounds. Both men will be aware of the danger the other poses and there will be respect shown. Once they get going, I see it being a open affair from round 6-7 onwards. Garcia will be looking to counter to the body and rip the hooks when he can whilst Thurman will use his speed advantage against the more hittable fighter. I think there will be some very close rounds but I think Thurman’s speed and footwork will allow him to have success against the flat footed man. The fight will be razor close but I see Thurman stealing the last few rounds with some solid right hands as Garcia slows and ultimately edging him on the scorecards.
Keith Thurman win via split decision
The Combat Council 