By Rick Reeno
WBA 'regular' welterweight champion Keith "One Time" Thurman (26-0, 22KOs) has a very good feeling about the possibility of a fight being finalized with former beltholder "Showtime" Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16KOs).
Both of them want the fight. Last week at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, they faced off for the cameras prior to a media event for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto pay-per-view.
If Thurman had his way, he would want the fight to take place at the MGM Grand. Thurman fought at the venue in March, when he headlined the debut edition of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC and won a twelve round decision over Robert Guerrero.
A while ago, Thurman received an offer to face Porter and he accepted the proposal. He never heard back on the deal. Both fighters are managed by Al Haymon.
Because of the lack of high profile options for both of them, as far as a fall return, Thurman says the likelihood of the contest actually happening is very strong. Porter is looking to build off his high profile decision win over Adrien Broner on June 20.
The WBA's 'super' champion at welterweight is Mayweather, who announced his retirement last week. Eventually the WBA will have to vacate that title [unless Mayweather beats them to the punch] and then Thurman should be elevated to the 'super' champion position.
"I think it's extremely likely [this fight can happen]. I was offered the fight in the past and I requested the fight in the past. And there was a time when I was offered the fight and I said yes and then I never heard anything back, which I believe was because of the options [Porter] had at that time," Thurman told BoxingScene.com.
"I don't think Porter has a lot of options right now, especially to make some top dollar...and plus he'll have the opportunity to win the WBA world title."
