NEW YORK -- It has been nearly two years since fans last saw Keith Thurman (28-0, 22 KOs) in the ring. That fight came 22 months ago when he edged Danny Garcia via split decision. On Jan. 26 Thurman will finally return to action, and put his WBA welterweight title on the line, against Josesito Lopez (36-7, 19 KOs) in a fight that will be televised on Fox in prime time.
Thurman, who goes by the nickname 'One Time,' fights out of the orthodox stance and has good power. However, he isn't the one punch knockout artists his nickname would indicate. Thurman never gets overly aggressive and has well rounded boxing skills. He likes to work behind his jab and often follows it up with a looping overhand right that can do real damage. Thurman's left hook is also an excellent weapon and he loves banging that punch to the body. Despite his power, Thurman isn't the type of fighter who likes so sit in the pocket and bang. He likes to stay on the move and control the distance and pace of his fights.
No matter how much work he might have done in the gym the 22 months, Thurman could show considerable ring rust on Saturday night. The Florida native was supposed to return earlier but an injury derailed those plans. Certainly Lopez is a better comeback fight than "an opponent to be determined" but don't expect to see Thurman in a meaningful fight in 2019. The champion had called 2018 a "get back year" and said fans would have to wait until 2019 to see him face off against the likes of Errol Spence Jr. or Terence Crawford. However, after his injury in 2018 it will now be 2019 that will be his "get back" year and fans will have to be patient to see him fight the elite welterweights. Thurman does have a strong recent resume though, beating Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia in consecutive fights. However, those fights which came in 2016 and 2017 were the only fights for Thurman in those years and he didn't fight at all in 2018 so fans can't be too upset if he doesn't jump right in with the other welterweight champions. Although a fight against WBC champion Shawn Porter could happen later this year.
Lopez is also an orthodox fighter but he lacks the fight changing power that has made Thurman so dangerous. He is known as the 'Riverside Rocky' and that moniker highlights the fact that he usually enters the ring as an underdog. While Lopez always works hard and seems to max out his talents, he has had issues with punchers. He's been knocked out three times in seven career losses and has been stopped in all of his recent step up fights against Andre Berto, Marcos Maidana, and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. Lopez likes to work behind a busy jab and he doesn't mind roughing things up on the inside. His left hook isn't something Thurman will have to worry too much about but Lopez does have a solid right hand he finds success with upstairs and to the body. The real question in this fight though will be whether or not Lopez can stand up to Thurman's power.
Lopez is currently riding a three fight win streak. While one of those opponents was an undefeated prospect, the other two had a combined record of 36-19-1. Also, Lopez hasn't been all that active in recent years, fighting just once in 2018, 2017, and 2016. Beating Thurman would be the biggest victory of Lopez's career and would give him something he has long coveted, a world title. It could also propel Lopez into some much bigger fights, even a unification bout.
There will be two competing narratives in this bout. For Thurman the story is about how rusty he looks, how quickly he can get back into rhythm, and how his power looks following his elbow injury. The story for Lopez revolves around his quest for a world title. He has fallen short in previous bouts and has never won any of his step up fights and a win against Thurman would really alter his career and give him the ability to make some major fights. Look for Lopez to push the pace early to try an test Thurman while Thurman will probably start slow as he eases his way back after 22 months.
PREDICTION: Josesito Lopez is a fine fighter and certainly never embarrasses himself in the ring. Yet he usually gets stopped by better opponents with more power and Keith Thurman is certainly a better fighter with more power. Lopez will win some early rounds but eventually Thurman will find his groove and take over on his way to an eighth round stoppage of 'Riverside Rocky.'
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| Thurman catching Danny Garcia with a right hand |
No matter how much work he might have done in the gym the 22 months, Thurman could show considerable ring rust on Saturday night. The Florida native was supposed to return earlier but an injury derailed those plans. Certainly Lopez is a better comeback fight than "an opponent to be determined" but don't expect to see Thurman in a meaningful fight in 2019. The champion had called 2018 a "get back year" and said fans would have to wait until 2019 to see him face off against the likes of Errol Spence Jr. or Terence Crawford. However, after his injury in 2018 it will now be 2019 that will be his "get back" year and fans will have to be patient to see him fight the elite welterweights. Thurman does have a strong recent resume though, beating Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia in consecutive fights. However, those fights which came in 2016 and 2017 were the only fights for Thurman in those years and he didn't fight at all in 2018 so fans can't be too upset if he doesn't jump right in with the other welterweight champions. Although a fight against WBC champion Shawn Porter could happen later this year.
Lopez is also an orthodox fighter but he lacks the fight changing power that has made Thurman so dangerous. He is known as the 'Riverside Rocky' and that moniker highlights the fact that he usually enters the ring as an underdog. While Lopez always works hard and seems to max out his talents, he has had issues with punchers. He's been knocked out three times in seven career losses and has been stopped in all of his recent step up fights against Andre Berto, Marcos Maidana, and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. Lopez likes to work behind a busy jab and he doesn't mind roughing things up on the inside. His left hook isn't something Thurman will have to worry too much about but Lopez does have a solid right hand he finds success with upstairs and to the body. The real question in this fight though will be whether or not Lopez can stand up to Thurman's power.
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| Lopez sticking Andre Berto with a jab |
There will be two competing narratives in this bout. For Thurman the story is about how rusty he looks, how quickly he can get back into rhythm, and how his power looks following his elbow injury. The story for Lopez revolves around his quest for a world title. He has fallen short in previous bouts and has never won any of his step up fights and a win against Thurman would really alter his career and give him the ability to make some major fights. Look for Lopez to push the pace early to try an test Thurman while Thurman will probably start slow as he eases his way back after 22 months.
PREDICTION: Josesito Lopez is a fine fighter and certainly never embarrasses himself in the ring. Yet he usually gets stopped by better opponents with more power and Keith Thurman is certainly a better fighter with more power. Lopez will win some early rounds but eventually Thurman will find his groove and take over on his way to an eighth round stoppage of 'Riverside Rocky.'
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