Watch world class boxing live online when top welterweight Keith Thurman faces crafty veteran Luis Collazo, as the World Boxing Association champ Thurman attempts to position himself for a September bout against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in a fight that will be televised nationwide for free as the latest installment in the Premier Boxing Champions series.
The 26-year-old Clearwater, Florida, native has been mentioned by boxing experts as a dark horse in the race to occupy the opposing corner when Mayweather fights what he claims will be the final bout of his career on September 12. Thurman (above left), like Mayweather, is undefeated — albeit in 26 fights compared to Mayweather’s 48 — and, as a welterweight, would not need to fight at a catch weight.
“I believe I am in the Mayweather sweepstakes, and I believe I deserve the fight,” Thurman told The Tampa Bay Times on Friday. “I may get it. But most people are saying I won’t. I don’t need Mayweather, but it is an entertaining fight for the American public.”
To find out how to watch the Keith Thurman vs. Luis Collazo welterweight title fight live online free on Saturday, see the information at the bottom of this article. The fight is scheduled for July 11 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, 6 p.m. Pacific, at USF Sun Dome in Tampa.
One thing is for sure. Thurman may be a long shot as it is, but he definitely won’t get the fight against Mayweather if he fails to defeat the Brooklyn-born Collazo (above right), a tricky, 34-year-old former title-holder who has been in the ring with some of the top fighters in the sport.
Of course, Collazo — who is 36-6 with 19 KOs — has lost to almost all of those top fighters, most recently to British star Amir Khan — another possible Mayweather opponent — by unanimous decision in May of last year.
The speedy, but light-punching Collazo has also fought and lost to Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosely, and Andre Berto.
Thurman, at 26-0 with 21 knockouts, has never fought anyone on the level of those fighters — but he does have wins over several quality opponents including Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, Julio Diaz, and Carlos Quintana.
Mayweather’s longtime associate, and CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe has been dismissive of Thurman’s chances of being picked by Mayweather as an opponent, telling ESPN, “Ain’t nobody thinking about Keith Thurman.”
But Thurman will be trying to get people thinking about him with what he hopes will be an impressive victory over the slick Collazo, who has been stopped only once in his 42 fights. A KO win over the tough New Yorker in a fight broadcast nationally for free on ESPN could help make his case.
To watch Keith Thurman vs. Luis Collazo live online, go to WatchESPN at this link , and log in with credentials from any cable or satellite provider. Download the WatchESPN app to watch on mobile devices.
[Images: Harry How/Ethan Miller/Getty Images]