WBA world welterweight champ Keith Thurman is set to defend his title against Shawn Porter in this year’s most anticipated matchup, tonight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The event will be carried live on CBS starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
“It’s an honor to be on this platform,” said Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) at the final presser heading into tonight’s encounter. “I’m excited to be back at Barclays Center. My last fight at Barclays Center was the first time I felt the fans give me love and I felt like I made it. I’m excited to feel the energy in the arena…We did what we needed to so that we’re ready for Saturday night.”
27-year-old Thurman was last in action stopping veteran Luis Collazo via cuts in the seventh round of their July, 2014 encounter. Prior to the Collazo fight, Thurman had outpointed Robert Guerrero, Sierra Leonean, and Leoneard Bundu, and retired Julio Diaz.
“I’m looking forward to this kind of moment to shine,” said Porter (26-1-1, 16 KOs). “That’s how you gain notoriety and become bigger. There’s no pressure, just excitement.”
A native of Akron, Ohio, but fighting out of Vegas, Shawn Porter has been on many fans’ must-watch lists in recent years. A powerful, come-forward slugger, the former IBF world welterweight champion made his last ring appearance with unanimous decision win over Adrien Broner in June of last year. Going in to that fight, the 28-year-old Porter had stopped Ecuadorian prospect Erick Bone in a comeback fight after suffering his only career loss to undefeated Kell Brook in August of 2014.
Jarrett Hurd vs. Oscar Molina will kick off tonight’s broadcast.