Is WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman scaring off the competition?
That seems to be the case since he was left with no one to face other than former WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo.
Though Collazo is a former champion, it is obvious that he is at disadvantage when the two face off this July 11 as one of the cards for the first Premier Boxing Champions by ESPN.
Thurman remains undefeated but what makes him a favorite is his knockout power. Of the 25 fights he's had to date, a total of 21 ended in a knockout. He is a heavy favorite to prevail over Collazo, a -1400 underdog.
Thurman admitted that with no credible fighter to face, he was forced to take on Collazo to keep himself active. Collazo was the only one available, as other fighters were already hooked up on separate bouts.
Adrien Broner ended up facing Shawn Porter, with the latter eventually winning while Amir Khan is coming off a victory by unanimous decision over Chris Algieri.
Thurman even tried to set himself up as a possible candidate for undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. but it seems that the latter was not interested to fight the knockout-seeking Thurman.
With no credible fighter to face for now, 'One Time' may have to make do with Collazo. But though he is the heavy favorite, he still cannot take Collazo for granted. Some predict that the fight will go the 12-round distance, though it would not be surprising if Thurman goes for the kill to try and make a statement, particularly to WBC silver welterweight champion and potential ring opponent Amir Khan.
Khan fought Collazo before and won by unanimous decision. A knockout win will certainly be a huge statement and possibly set up a match between the two.
Khan had already expressed interest in fighting Thurman but 'One Time' must take care of business first this coming weekend.
Assuming Mayweather will decide to ditch Khan again, a Khan vs. Thurman fight could happen. The only thing left would be a scheduling of the bout.
Thurman faces Collazo this at 9 p.m. ET Sunday at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. The fight will be televised and streamed by ESPN.
