*I don’t get an opportunity to go to New York that often but when the chance does come I certainly do take the advantage. And since I was fortunate enough to obtain an open pass round trip ticket courtesy of Southwest Airlines, I said to myself why not go and cover Keith “One Time” Thurman go against Shawn “Showtime” Porter at the Barclays Arena in Brooklyn.
It also gave me a chance to spend some time with someone that I’ve been in love with that resides in Newark, New Jersey whom I’ve been longing to see (that’s another story folks).
And people, I got to tell you something, this was a match made in Haymon, er, I mean heaven. Al Haymon happens to manage both fighters and this was another chapter in the continuing saga of the Premiere Boxing Champions that was being telecast live on the CBS/Showtime network. And although he does have his critics and naysayers who in some cases say that he’s trying to dominate the sport, no one can deny the fact that these are some very competitive and exciting boxing shows that any and everyone can see. In this writers opinion, I take my hat off to him for making a go at it and being successful with what he does.
Well, so much for that let’s talk about the fight.
In the opening bell both guys came out very aggressive with vicious power shots and displaying lateral movement.
As the fight progressed things started to get a lot more testy with Thurman landing powerful left hooks and jabs.
Porter would come right back with his own wicked shots to the body and head. And as this went back and forth there were moments when they would come together so close that they accidentally clashed heads causing a vicious cut over Thurman’s left eye.
This was a real fight between two young gladiators and going into the ninth it seemed as if Porter was getting into a nice groove hitting Thurman with some stuff that you thought would end it all for him especially those shots to the kidneys.
Round twelve was crucial for Porter because this was round that he had to win, as it was that close. And it began with Porter coming out more aggressive but Thurman displayed his boxing skills and for the most part, kept himself out of the way while connecting with his own powerful shots.
And at the end of twelve exciting rounds all three judges scored the bout close (115-113) but unanimous for Keith “One Time” Thurman who retained his WBA welterweight title.
This bout could’ve gone either way folks, and nobody would’ve been mad if it was awarded to Porter who had Thurman’s hands full throughout the fight. And had it not been for the fact that Thurman was able to utilize his speed, power, and ring generalship it could’ve turned out quite different.
Both guys showed heart, grit, and determination, and to most ring observers it would be great to see them go at it again.
As I always say, we’ll see what happens.
There was another exciting fight that took place earlier Saturday overseas in the UK with IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defending his title against Dominic Breazeale.
I tell everyone that Anthony Joshua is the real deal and he certainly showed that he has the goods by stopping Breazeale with a TKO in the seventh of their match that was also telecast live on the Showtime network prior to Thurman vs Porter.
This guy is a big strong heavyweight that can box, and punch. And he reminds me of guys like Riddick ” Big Daddy” Bowe, Michael Dokes, “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon, Big George Foreman, and Ron Lyle just to name a few. These were big heavyweights that could knock anybody out, and I think that we’re starting to see something develop in the heavyweight division that we haven’t seen in a long time since Lennox Lewis retired.
It will be great to see him go against Deontay Wilder in a title unification bout because there really needs to be only one champion in the division not five.
And finally, as I was sitting in my seat in the press section I kept noticing this big silver headed guy sitting in front of me who everyone was talking to and taking pictures with that at first I didn’t recognize but when he stood in the aisle during a break between fights, I was surprised to see that it was Irish Gerry Cooney another big heavyweight from the past that fought the likes of Larry Holmes, and Ken Norton.
When I first started to hang around this sport it was 1982 when Larry Holmes fought Gerry Cooney at Ceasar’s Palace. I did a portrait of Gerry that I had on display at the hotel three days before the fight. Cooney came over to my exhibit and took a photo with me and I just happen to have that photo with me this past Saturday night. I walked up to him and introduced myself to him and showed him the photo and he lit up like a lamp post. He told me to take his number and to be sure to stay in contact with him. He was a great guy then, and still is today.
I hear that he now has a non profit organization that benefits retired fighters. I hope he continues to do well with that.
“When the tide goes out, that when you’ll find out who’s been swimming naked”-Warren Buffett
Mohammed Mubarak can also be read in the High Desert Inland Valley News, and the Pace News. He can be reached at [email protected] for your comments. He is an artist as well and you may go to his website mubarakart.com or mubarakart on instagram and view his works.
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