Keith Thurman retained the WBA Welterweight title with a stoppage over former world champion Luis Collazo due to a cut over Collazo’s right eye in round eight of their scheduled 12-round bout. The bout took place at the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.
In round three, there was swelling under the left eye of Collazo.. In round five, Collazo landed a left to the body that hurt Thurman. Collazo began to bleed over his right eye in round six. The cut was caused by an accidental headbutt. Due to the cut, Collazo said in on his stool just after the 8th round bell rang that he could not see and the bout was waved off.
Thurman of Clearwater, FL is now 26-0 with 21 knockouts. Collazo of Brooklyn, NY is 36-7.
KEITH THURMAN
“I felt good in there. I’ve been saying I’m an evolutionary fighter and I showed it tonight. I’ve always had power, but tonight was champ versus champ boxing.
“My team is happy and I’m very happy with my performance. I’m looking to continue this incredible streak. I’m 26-0. If you can beat me then beat me.
“He caught me with a left hook uppercut hybrid shot in the fifth and knocked out almost all of my wind. It was an excellent shot by Luis. I endured like a champion though.
“We trained hard for this camp. Luis Collazo, I want to give it up to him. All respect. He’s a great veteran. He came and he fought hard. We kept picking our shots, giving him a little bit of power every round and we broke him down.
“I beat this fighter and I can beat any fighter.
“This is great for me to pull this off at home. There was lots of pressure and hype. I gave it my best and I came out with the win.
“We want anybody that we can get at the top of the welterweight division; Mayweather, Pacquiao, Porter, Khan, Bradley, Maidana.
“Thank you so much to Tampa Bay, St. Pete and all my home fans here in Florida. I’m going to continue to do you all proud.”
LUIS COLLAZO
“I was trying to set up body shots any way I could. I saw him moving to the left and was trying to catch him just right. I wish I had more time in that round.
“The second cut on the top of my right eye was the worst. I couldn’t really see and was constantly wiping the blood away.
“If I would have come out of my corner again I probably would have gotten caught with some unnecessary shots, and I didn’t need that.
“I want to fight again for sure. Whoever my team and Al Haymon put in front of me I’ll fight. I’ll take any welterweight.
“This was about the fans tonight. I’m glad I could come down to Tampa and give a great fight.
“Thanks to my fans for all the love and support. Sorry for letting you all down tonight, but I want to fight again so we decided not to continue.”
Willie Nelson scored a shocking 9th round stoppage over previously undefeated Tony Harrison in scheduled 10-round Jr. Middleweight bout.
Nelson landed a right to the top of the head and then followed up with a left and right that dropped Harrison to the canvas. Harrison got to his feet but was wobbly and referee Frank Santore stopped the bout at 2:57 of round nine.
Nelson of Cleveland is now 24-2-1 with 14 knockouts. Harrison of Detroit is 21-1.
WILLIE NELSON
“I was confident and relaxed tonight. I wanted to take him into deep waters and that’s exactly what I did.
“I’m very happy the whole world got to see me tonight. This is where I belong and I’m just looking to start getting my shots and collecting titles.
“There’s really no specific person that I want next. I’ll take anyone in the 154 lbs division. The only person I won’t fight is Terrell Gausha because we’re so close.
“My coach said to dip down and throw a right hand on top. And he buckled, so I threw another right hand. It was a left uppercut that started the combination and then the right hand.
“I was really just taking my time and being patient. I know I should have not worried about it and just let my hands go. The plan was to take him into deep water, that’s pretty much why I was relaxing, but I got the job done.
“Keep watching me. I’m always the underdog and I embrace it. I took some big punches tonight from Tony (Harrison) and proved my chin.”
TONY HARRISON
“I was pacing myself, but also trying to push it when I could.
“When I went down it was because he hit me behind my head and then when I got up I was looking at my team.
“I let the anxiety get to me. I felt the anxiousness to knock him out, got reckless and got caught with a shot. I felt like I was winning the whole fight with the game plan but I switched it up.
“I lost to a fighter that I shouldn’t have lost to tonight. I was supposed to do better. All props to Willie (Nelson) though.
“All fighters get hit and I’ll be back stronger than ever to get my career back on track.
“I want to thank Al Haymon and ESPN. My head is held high.”
Edner Cherry Scored a 9th round stoppage over Luis Cruz in a scheduled 10-round Lightweight bout.
In round nine, Cherry landed a perfect right hand that sent Cruz to the canvas. Cherry continued the assault and dropped Cruz with another perfect right shortly after and referee Frank Santore stopped the bout at 2:07 round nine.
Cherry of Wauchula, FLA is now 34-6-2 with 19 knockouts. Cruz of Puerto Rico is 21-4.
