Quote Originally Posted by J_Undisputed View Post
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.
Yeah and I think the head butts were also a big thing, and yeah I was pretty disappointed with the fight too.

I think in the end this is the danger of not allowing a handler to pick your fight. People like to talk about cherrypicking fighters like only Floyd Mayweather does it, but it's something everyone is doing. Thurman wanted to fight a tough undefeated fighter and he picked a durable, awkward guy who was going to be impossible to look great against. It was Thurman being stubborn. In reality, he should have took the conventional path and fought a guy he could bang out of there in a few rounds so he could get people clambering for a big fight with Floyd, Pac or Khan.