Re: Keith Thurman...wtf was that?
I would say this looked a little more like fear of getting caught, then versatility. I think Thurman went out with the intention of looking sharp and like a refined, smart, high-energy brawler. (Think younger, smarter, faster, flashier maidana or what everyone hoped victor ortiz might become). It took Bundu a while to find him, but once he did (and after getting up from the knockdown where he got caught in transition to southpaw), I think there was an understanding that Bundu new that he would have to take punches to land punches and was willing to do that. I wouldn't say that Bundu had great power, but I will say he had a clear objective to win the fight and that was land at all costs and make the flashy kid scrap under pressure.
Thurman wasn't feeling that and probably figured the closer he allowed his opponent to get, the worse he would look. So he "crabbed" it around the outside (circled with lateral movement with his hands up, changing direction occasionally) and looked to potshot. Thurman figured if he stunned Bundu, he'd jump on him and take advantage and if he didn't he would just stockpile points and proclaim himself a "master in the art of boxing". I was disappointed enough to flip to HBO to watch the prelims there.
They want your @$$ beat because upsets make news. News brings about excitement, excitement brings about ratings. The objective is to bring you up to the tower and tear your @$$ down. And if you don't believe that, you're crazy.
Roy Jones, Jr. "What I've Learned," Esquire 2003
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