Collazo: Thurman's Belt is Coming Back To Brooklyn!

WBA world welterweight champion Keith Thurman knows he cannot afford to slip up against Luis Collazo if he is to "create a legacy". The fight tops a Premier Boxing Champions card on ESPN.

The pair clash on Thurman's home turf in Tampa, Florida on Saturday night and the 26-year-old (25-0-0-KO21) is well aware how damaging handing the belt back to the New Yorker (36-6-0-KO19) could be.

Collazo won the title from Jose Antonio Rivera in 2005 but lost it the following year to Ricky Hatton and has since suffered defeats to Shane Mosley, Andre Berto, Freddy Hernandez and, most recently, Amir Khan a year ago.

With Collazo now 34, Thurman said: "Collazo is a solid fighter, with a great resume and he has something to prove. He's trying to take my title home and I believe him. A hungry man is a dangerous man.

"I'm thankful for everyone who has come to support me and I can't wait to see everybody on Saturday night.

"This is going to be an exciting night of boxing. We have a lot of talent from Tampa on top of even more world class talent on the card. If you're off the clock, get there at 6:30.

"July 4th there were some nice fireworks, on July 11 there will be better ones."

Thurman has made no secret of his desire to face divisional kingpin Floyd Mayweather Jr, although he also recently acknowledged the claims of IBF champion Kell Brook.

Collazo promises to derail those plans.

"Keith Thurman is a champion, I can't take anything away from him. He's a champion in boxing but he still has more to learn. There's not a day I go to the gym and don't learn something new.

"I've had a great camp and I'm sure Keith has too. This is a fight you have to be ready for, not only physically but mentally as well.

"I'm not here for a handout. I'm coming here for win and to bring that belt back to Brooklyn.

"I'm a problem to a lot of fighters because of my style.

"I'm fighting to inspire all the kids who were counted out before they were even given a chance. I always want to help those who have been counted out.

"I've had a lot of experience coming into my opponent's hometown and it can be tough having people against you. But at the end of the fight they could be with you."