Roach: Thurman Will Beat Danny Garcia - But I Wouldn't Bet On It

By Radio Rahim

Practically two months are left in 2016, but several big fights were already announced for next year. The biggest of the bunch to most boxing fans - is a welterweight unification between WBA champion Keith Thurman (27-0, 22KOs) and WBC champion Danny Garcia (32-0, 18KOs). Showtime is planning to televise the bout, but it might land on CBS in prime time.

The fight is scheduled for March 4th at a venue and location to be determined. Before their showdown takes place, Garcia is taking a stay busy fight on November 12th against Samuel Vargas in Philadelphia. The fight is a ten round non-title fight.

Garcia, inactive since capturing his title with a decision over Robert Guerrero back in January, wanted a tuneup fight before facing Thurman in March. Thurman on the other hand is not taking a tuneup and plans to wait until he gets Garcia in the ring.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach is really looking forward to the fight.

For at least two years, Roach has wanted to secure Garcia for his star pupil, Manny Pacquiao. Roach knows Garcia very well. Back in 2012, Roach was the head trainer for Amir Khan when the Bolton fighter was knocked out in four rounds by Garcia.

Roach gives Thurman the edge and picks him to beat Garcia - but he's not confident enough to bet on it.

"I wanted Manny to fight Garcia for a long time now and I thought that was a great fight for Manny.... not an easy fight but I think it would be competitive and so forth. I was there when he knocked out Amir Khan and that was an impressive win. But I think Thurman is a little better than he is. I think Thurman wins that fight, but I wouldn't bet on it though. It's a good fight, it's a good matchup," Roach told BoxingScene.com.