By Edward Chaykovsky
This coming Saturday night, fans were anticipating a long awaited showdown between WBA welterweight champion Keith 'One Time' Thurman (26-0, 22KOs) and former IBF king Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16KOs).
Last Thurman revealed that he was involved in a car accident and suffered injuries that prevented him from going forward.
The fight is expected to receive a new date, but there has been no word as of yet on when or where it will land.
Porter has been on shelf since last June's decision win over Adrien Broner. Thurman was last in the ring last July, when he stopped Luis Collazo. Porter plans to hold an exhibition this Saturday with rugged contender Lanardo Tyner, and then plans to wait until Thurman fully recovers from his injuries and is cleared to step back in the ring.
Fans were obviously disappointed with the postponement, but Kenny Porter - father and trainer of Shawn Porter - had his doubts about Thurman's injury claims. In several interviews, Kenny told BoxingScene.com that he wanted some concrete proof that Thurman was indeed injured and he never received any paperwork.
Thurman has read some of Kenny's comments and took offense to what the trainer was insinuating. He says the fight will still happen.
“I’ve heard Kenny’s remarks,” Thurman told Premier Boxing Champions. “I got a car that’s in the shop right now, bro. Nobody in the world has been afraid to fight your son. People have been beaten by your son, but nobody has been afraid to fight Shawn Porter.
“This is not fun. This is not what I wanted. At the end of the day, this is what has happened. It's a pushback, but it’s not a setback. We’ll be back in action soon. I’m really just focused on staying blessed, showing up to therapy and trying to recover as soon as possible.”
