Keith Thurman goes distance to remain undefeated in final Tampa boxing card of 2009

November 7, 10:59 AMTampa Bay Sports ExaminerTed Fleming

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Tampa Bay Sports Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Welterweight Keith Thurman scores the first decision win of his career after ten straight knockouts.
Photo: Ted Fleming / TBSN Sports Media

TAMPA – One Punch Productions and The Fight Factory held their final boxing card of 2009 and fans were treated to some great boxing, some stunning knockouts and a hometown hero adding something different to his résumé.

Keith Thurman came back to fight in his hometown for the first time in a year and showed everyone he is more than a just knockout artist. The up and coming welterweight had a reputation for taking out opponents early, all but two have ended in the first round, and if there was anything he wanted Friday night it was to get in some rounds as well as add another victory.

The 20-year old got both, and more, because Edvan Barros stayed upright for all eight rounds of the main event at the Downtown Hyatt Hotel ending his KO run at ten, however, the Boca Raton resident was unable to slow the Thurman express through the division with a lopsided win upping his unblemished record to 11-0.

Thurman admitted Barros (10-8, 7 KO) was his toughest foe yet because he is a distance fighter having gone at least eight rounds in six of his last eight bouts and wanted to answer any questions about his ability to go deep into fights. He did that, and more, putting Barros on the canvas early and impressing all three judges to score it 80-71, 79-72 and 79-72 to remain undefeated.

IN EARLIER BOUTS:

QUINTON WILLIS (5-0-1, 3 KO) v KHRISTIAN GERACI (4-7-1, 3 KO)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Willis had little trouble with Geraci knocking him down three times in the opening round to gain a TKO victory at 1:15.

MANNY WOODS (2-0) v JASON WAHR (1-3)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Woods had the most stunning performance of the night by taking out an overmatched Wahr at 0:55 of the first round.

NICK IANNUZZI (13-2, 8 KO) v MICHAEL ALEXANDER 12-4, 8 KO)
CRUISERWEIGHTS
“The Showstopper” lived up to his nickname by bouncing back from what he called a “fluke” first round TKO landing a devastating shot to the jaw of Michael Alexander and referee Russ Helistern called a halt to the fight at 2:47 of round two.

CORDARO SIMPKINS (3-0) v EDGARDO RIVERA (2-1, 2 KO)
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Simkins won a unanimous decision over Rivera (40-36, 39-37 and 39-37) to remain unbeaten.

LAMAR DAVIS (4-1, 1 KO) v ROY BOYKIN (1-3, 1 KO)
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Showing signs of wearing down at the end, Davis scored a split decision victory over Boykin. Judge Don Balas had it 40-36 for Davis, Don Trombley had Boykin on top 39-37 while Mike Ross scored it 39-37 for Davis.

SHERAL DOSTIEV (1-0) v SERGIO AGUILLAR (0-2)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Dostiev was terrific in his professional debut shutting out Aguillar on all three judge’s cards, 40-36.