Keith Thurman...wtf was that?

[Beanflicker]

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.

[J_Undisputed]

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.

I wouldnt say it was impossible for Thurman to look good against Bundu. After all, when Bundu got dropped i'm pretty sure that there were quite a few people (including Thurman) that felt like all that jawing that Thurman did was going to prophetic rather than trash talking. It was after Bundu got up and and went right back at Thurman, that Thurman decided that if this guy wasn't going lay down or wear down (like Soto Karass), he didn't want to play "destroyer" anymore and settling for conservative pot shotting would still inch him toward a golden ticket. Lots of fighters do the same and while its good to see a fighter work things out, but i'll reserve opinions on Thurman's heart until I see him bring it to someone who wants it and asked for seconds.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Bundu might be hard to look good against but Thurman looked a lot worse than he should have.

[Dark Lord Al]

Yes its clear Thurman is no Julian Jackson , and now he seems confused , he cant decide if he is a fancy dan or a destroyer.
For me he is at his best as an aggressive power puncher , when he moves so much he nullifies his power.

[#1FightFan]

all that talk/bragging, and then THAT performance? um...made him look kinda bad!!! were we fooled to think he was something he isnt??

[Gandalf]

It was a weak performance. He was saying before the fight that he would destroy Mayweather.....really? Mind you, that performance will probably get him the fight!

[Primo Carnera]

I've seen Thurman fight before, so I understand why he's getting stick from across the pond, even though the crowd booing was a bit over the top. Bundu was probably a bit better than people gave him credit for, and for a 40 year old , his pace and stamina was excellent for 12 rounds. Thurman hurt Bundu in the 1st , but Bundu's recovery rightly or wrongly made Thurman decide that it wasn't worth the risk to try and get the KO. Instead , he boxed him and technically boxed him very well and won with relative ease.
Just like every Boxer nowadays, he bigged himself up to be a bit of a beast and it's backfired a bit. At the end of the day, he showed he can box, he still has a lot of promise and is still a dangerous contender. Styles make fights, but IMO , if he fought Khan, he would be all wrong for him , and I could see him KO'ing Khan. Unlike Alexander, Thurman would be quite happy to take 6 of Khan's punches to land 3 of his own and his would have more effect.

[TitoFan]

Bundu was pretty game, but the expectations were much higher for Thurman.

His nickname is "One Time".
I hope it applies to his stinker of a performance.

[beenKOed]

Bundu might be hard to look good against but Thurman looked a lot worse than he should have.

I don't hear anyone saying Thurman couldn't have looked better. Thurman hit Bundu with some good shots which Bundu took well, except for the first round.
I'd say Bundu is pretty good, he'd have to be to make Thurman look less than stellar.

Hey, everyone can't look as good as Khan. Lolololo
Of course, everyone doesn't have boxing attire worth 50 grand either.
What I'm saying is that Khan looked good in every way as he boxed the ears off of Alexander.

[Xwetie]

I think thurman put on a good performance, just sad that someone was whispering in his ear around 4 or 5th round, Thurman keep him alive for 12 rounds, We can't let the audience sit around for 45 minutes picking their noses, so i thats why he slagged off a bit

[beenKOed]

I think thurman put on a good performance, just sad that someone was whispering in his ear around 4 or 5th round, Thurman keep him alive for 12 rounds, We can't let the audience sit around for 45 minutes picking their noses, so i thats why he slagged off a bit

Anything is possible, but I seriously doubt it as they've never seemed to care before.

[beenKOed]

I think thurman put on a good performance, just sad that someone was whispering in his ear around 4 or 5th round, Thurman keep him alive for 12 rounds, We can't let the audience sit around for 45 minutes picking their noses, so i thats why he slagged off a bit

The more I think about this post the more naive/ridiculous it sounds, so I need to talk about it some more.
Boxers in general and Thurman (to name just one) in particular has an ego the the size of a large walk-in freezer, so I imagine someone asking him to carry another fighter would get a very loud "fuck you" in return.
We've seen some stupid boxers over the years, but I don't think Thurman is one of them. Asking or telling an intelligent, prideful, up and coming fighter to make himself look less than he is plus cost himself big paydays down the line would get you a "fuck off".

[Master]

I think Thurman did well and would much prefer him fighting Floyd/Khan/Brooks.