It’s a clash that fight fans have been waiting to witness for months, if not years.
Top welterweights talk Thurman vs Porter on June 25
But the fans aren’t the only ones stoked for Saturday’s showdown between 147-pound world champion Keith Thurman and former titleholder Shawn Porter from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York (CBS, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
Indeed, many of Thurman and Porter’s contemporaries are just as excited to take in what is expected to be one of the most competitive 147-pound matches between upper-echelon fighters that’s been offered this decade.
Not surprisingly, when it comes to who’s favoring “Showtime” and who’s favoring “One Time,” their contemporaries are pretty even split.
Andre Berto (former 147-pound champion): “Shawn is going to come, but I think Keith will be on his toes and box, but also drop hard shots as well when Shawn comes in. Keith can be very versatile in there and has a lot of great skills, while Shawn is more like a bull. Keith will hurt or knock Shawn down, but [Shawn] will keep coming all night.”
Kell Brook (147-pound champion who defeated Porter in August 2014): “This is a great fight, one I can’t wait to watch. If Shawn can stick to his boxing, I think he can become world champion again on points. But Keith is heavy-handed, and he could walk Shawn into one—it’s really a pick ’em fight for me.”
Luis Collazo (former 147-pound champion who lost to Thurman in July 2015): “I’m not sure who the favorite is, but I’m going with Porter. I like his style, and I think it’s going to be interesting to see how Thurman holds up with the pressure Porter is going to bring.”
Danny Garcia (147-pound champion): “This is a great matchup. Thurman has the boxing ability and the movement, while Porter is the aggressor and he’s going to bring the heat. To be honest with you, it’s a 50-50 fight, but I would give the edge to Keith Thurman by a very close decision.”
Robert Guerrero (former two-division champion who lost to Thurman in March 2015): “This is a fight the fans are going to love watching. Both Thurman and Porter bring exciting styles to the ring. If Porter can keep the fight on the inside, he’ll have a better chance to come out victorious. But Keith Thurman is a very smart and powerful fighter, and will make the right adjustments. I just think Thurman is going to outbox Porter. I’m picking Thurman to win by decision in a very tough fight.”
Errol Spence Jr. (unbeaten 147-pound contender): “This is a great fight between young fighters with good skill. Shawn throws a lot of punches while Thurman is a boxer who can punch, too. I know Shawn will be aggressive, and it should make for a great fight. If Keith can box and keep Shawn Porter on the outside, I see Keith Thurman winning. If Shawn stays on the inside and stays in the chest of Keith, I see him winning.”
Sammy Vasquez Jr. (unbeaten 147-pound contender): “Shawn is a pressure fighter, and Thurman used to be a pressure fighter but now he boxes. It’s really hard for me to decide who is going to come out on top. Thurman has good power. It all depends on how Shawn is able to take Thurman’s punches. I think Thurman [will win] because of the power, but Shawn will bring it for 12 rounds.”
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Shawn Porter and Keith Thurman officially go from friends to foes Saturday night when they meet for Thurman's 147-pound title in Brooklyn, New York. (Amanda Westcott/Showtime)
