knockout

I almost forgot about tonight’s fights as twitter was on fire commenting on La Maquina’s fight versus John Molina. You could’ve sworn it was like Bradley vs. Provodnikov all over again as each man was trading awesome blows and making waves on twitter, and making me want to go home faster. I will cease commenting any more as hopefully this win will bring Matthysse back into the light to perhaps challenge Danny Garcia again.

I made it back on time to catch the main event, Keith “One Time” Thurman vs. Julio Diaz, a wily veteran needing one more time around the ring to make a statement. Keith is coming off a TKO win over the tough Jesus Soto Karass, but is facing another ring veteran who took what Keith was serving in the first round. Though what I was impressed by the most was the refinement of Thurman, with way more control and patience for throwing his blows, which probably now comes in a more fearsome manner because his hand speed is still there and looks faster than ever. Thurman’s footwork and head movement is also a lot more natural and overall, the few rounds he spent in the ring tonight were very graceful and relaxed. If “One Time” didn’t retire Diaz in the third, he would’ve have certainly chopped Diaz down with lefts hooks and murderous rights, though it seemed Thurman got a little impatient as Diaz kept coming forward after repeatedly connecting with big power shots.

Diaz is no joke, but Thurman was only warming up. It’s very unfortunate that he’s the fighter to avoid in the stacked Welterweight class, because he is truly a talent. Some gaps could be improved, such as his right guard getting loose as he lets his left hook go, but the evidence of growth in his footwork, feints, ring generalship, and overall position (a very underrated talent!) is very impressive. Thurman is always in position to throw a punch, and quickly disposed of a hard-grit opponent in Julio Diaz with repeated blows to the body. Which brings us to the significant blow of the night, the punch Thurman makes look good in all his fights…

Look back soon with more news towards the upcoming big event of the year, the Money Mayweather parade 😉

I hesitate to call this an upset, only because I was really only looking forward to seeing Collazo just give it his best. It seemed that Ortiz’s heart was in the right vicinity (rebranded as Vincent?) since he came out blazing, not as “wound up” as a Malignaggi suggested, but as someone who desperately wanted to get into rhythm, albeit maybe a little forced. However, nothing Victor could do to change the winds that we’re saying it was Collazo’s night.

He was smooth, he was deliberate, and he was in utter control his jabs, hooks, and uppercuts, which were short, staccato, and wonderfully disruptive, constantly moving and deftly blocking and even smartly taking blows just so he could make Victor pay when he missed. I would even go as far as to say that it’s a shame the fight ended so early and Victor wasn’t game, someone worthy would have made this Thursday night an instant classic, perhaps ushering a return to the weekday fights that would get us 80s brats looking forward to hometown fights.

I commend Collazo calling out Mayweather. Why not? Collazo has long played the cannon fodder to the Welterweight division, a stepping stone for welterweights groomed for so-called success like Andre Berto. He never had the platform to speak from his heart, and he did so naturally (“I’m not a big puncher, but a hook on a hooker is deadly,” Collazo said. “It was nice and short. Boom!”) I give him a pass for calling out a fight he will never get HAHA. Even Paulie was shaking his head, a better matchup would’ve have been himself back there at Barclays.

Looking forward to see more of Luis in the future. I think a great matchup would be Broner (if he still wants to play with the big boys), Guerrero, or Maidana. But honestly, it was a perfect performance for the hard-nosed journeyman, he deserves whatever success comes to him. It’s nice to see a man at peace with himself, finally recognized for the hard work he’s put in this game. Luis is this year’s Cinderella man, and my winner for knockout of the year, called it! Congratulations Luis and the Starrett City Gym!

blood money boxing

Quick Recap: Thurman One Times Diaz in 3

The Father, The Son, and Luis Collazo