Avila Perspective, Chap 173: Thurman vs Barrios, Carlos Cuadras and More

Not too long ago, Keith “One Time” Thurman, with his speed, power and precision was considered among the three most dangerous fighters in the world.

But injury, fight cancellations and absence have stripped those perceptions.

Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) returns to the ring after almost three years away and faces former lightweight titlist Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs) on Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Fox pay-per-view will televise.

The last time Thurman fought he traded blows with eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao on July 2019. Though he was knocked down early in the fight by the speedy southpaw, he rallied to make the fight extremely close and lost by split decision.

Following his first and only loss, Thurman basically disappeared.

“I’m just happy to be here where I belong, having a great challenger in Mario Barrios,” said Thurman, 31, who formerly held the WBA and WBC welterweight titles.

Thurman encountered almost every single top welterweight from his era beginning with Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, Luis Collazo, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, and Pacquiao. Now it’s time to test the young guns like Barrios who is moving up from super lightweight.

When Thurman encountered Barrios for the first time face-to-face on Wednesday in Las Vegas, you could see he was a little surprised that the super lightweight was taller.

“He’s a big little dude. The broad shoulders, that was a great five little seconds sizing him up,” joked Thurman.

Barrios lost his last fight against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a riveting battle that took place a year ago in Atlanta. Though Barrios had a size advantage he was unable to match the strength of the much shorter Davis and was stopped in the 11^th round. Now he has moved up a weight division and professes to be stronger now.

“I’ve grown into my man strength, and it has been difficult making 140 pounds for these last few years. The extra seven pounds is going to make a tremendous difference in my weight cut, because I’m still big for this weight as well,” said Barrios.  “In this fight we’re going to see if my power comes up with me. I’m confident that it will.”

Thurman needed a challenge after a lengthy absence and Barrios was eager to prove he’s more solid as a welterweight. Just who will benefit will be determined inside the ring.

“This is boxing. I don’t care how many days I’ve been away from the ring. I think boxing, I breath boxing,” Thurman said.

Barrios could have faced easier competition but that is not his way.

“I’m in this sport to fight the best. There has never been a name that I turned down,” Barrios said. “It’s why I took a difficult fight in my debut at welterweight.”

The co-main pits featherweight titlist Leo Santa Cruz (37-2-1) defending against Keenan Carbajal (23-2-1) in a 10-round bout.

A junior featherweight fight between Luis Nery (31-1) and Carlos Castro will open the ppv portion of the card.

Others on the fight card are Jesus Ramos, Abel Ramos, Fernando Vargas Jr and Omar Juarez.

Arizona

Mexico’s popular Carlos “Principe” Cuadras (39-4-1, 27 KOs) meets Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KOs) for the vacant WBC super flyweight world title on Saturday Feb. 5, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. DAZN will stream the fight card.

Cuadras was set to face Thailand’s Wisaksil Wangek in a rematch. The two faced each other in 2014 but the fight ended in a technical decision win for Cuadras who was cut badly from an accidental butt. Wangek pulled out of this fight due to an injury and Rodriguez eagerly accepted the fight.

“I expect the best from him and from me. I think Jesse will come prepared and be strong, so he doesn’t go down quickly. I will give the best of me like I do in every fight,” said Cuadras, a former world champion.

Rodriguez, 22, the younger brother of WBA super flyweight titlist Joshua Franco, trains in Riverside, California alongside his brother with trainer Robert Garcia.

“We train so hard, we know we can beat anyone at 108lbs, 112lbs and 115lbs. And come Saturday night that training, and that confidence is going to show, San Antonio is going to have a new world champion,” said Rodriguez.

A co-feature pits WBA female bantamweight world titlist Jamie Mitchell (7-0-2) in her first world title defense since taking it from England’s Shannon Courtenay last October in Liverpool. Her opponent, Carly Skelly (4-0-1) is vying for her first world title.

Fights to Watch

Sat. FITE.TV 11 a.m. Claressa Shields (11-0) vs Ema Kozin (21-0-1); Chris Eubank (31-2) vs Liam Williams (23-3-1); Otto Wallin (22-1) vs Kamil Sokolowski (11-24-2).

DAZN 5 p.m. Carlos Cuadras (39-4-1) vs Jesse Rodriguez (14-0); Jamie Mitchell (7-0-2) vs Carly Skelly (4-0-1).

FOX ppv 6 p.m Keith Thurman (29-1) vs Mario Barrios (26-1); Leo Santa Cruz (37-2-1) vs Keenan Carbajal (23-2-1); Luis Nery (31-1) vs Carlos Castro (27-0); Jesus Ramos (17-0) vs Vladimir Hernandez (13-4).

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