Keith Thurman and Leo Santa Cruz Win in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS-Inactivity was not enough to dull the hyper experience of former world champion Keith Thurman who seemed somewhat sluggish but still too strong for Mario Barrios making his first venture into the elite welterweight world.

Thurman won by unanimous decision.

Almost three years after his last performance Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) returned and defeated former super lightweight champion Barrios (26-2, 17 KOs) before an audience of more than 6,000 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino who were anxious to see who would beat who.

Not since Thurman fought and lost to Manny Pacquiao in July 2019 had he stepped in the prize ring. Many wondered if the rust would be too much for the former unified welterweight titlist who defeated Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. But despite that rust, the strength and power in his blows remained.

Barrios was staggered early in the second round by a sweeping Thurman left hook and it was evident that the Texan’s own power was not equal when he landed. Still, Barrios was the sharper puncher especially with that razor left jab.

“He was really poised,” said Thurman of Barrios. “I thought I could fool him a little bit.”

Throughout the fight Thurman never remained in front of Barrios and moved to one side or the other. Barrios was patient in stalking but never pressed the issue early in the fight. In the fourth round, Thurman connected with a left hook that wobbled the San Antonio fighter, but he remained upright.

Barrios had some good moments but never could sustain an attack and Thurman’s power seemed too dangerous. In the eighth round Barrios was able to counter during a Thurman assault that seemed to put the brakes on his attack. It was Barrios best round and the crowd cheered loudly hoping for a rally.

It didn’t come.

“We knew he was going to go on his bike a lot, especially if I hurt him,” said Barrios.

Thurman was able to deliver pot shots with effectiveness in the last two rounds but never did he go helter-skelter. Barrios was always at the ready for a mistake that never came. After 12 rounds two judges scored it 118-110 and a third 117-111 for Thurman.

“It was a great opponent. It was different from his last opponent,” said Thurman. “I’m just so thankful.

Thurman said he seeks a much busier year than his last three years and another shot at a welterweight world title.

“I’m looking forward to a better year,” Thurman said. “I want the belt, I want the champion. Let’s go baby.”

Santa Cruz.

Three-division world titlist Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) anxiously returned to the prize ring and soundly defeated young unknown Arizona prospect Keenan Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) with a machine-like effectiveness that was only interrupted by a clash of heads midway through the fight. Other than that, it was a clinical display of upper echelon fighting.

Santa Cruz returned after losing to Gervonta “Tank” Davis by knockout in October 2020. He was facing a taller and younger hungry fighter. No matter, his experience was too much for the youngster to overcome.

But Carbajal showed grit and determination. He was effective with the left uppercut in the fifth round and then Santa Cruz eliminated that option quickly. From that point on, Santa Cruz basically cruised to the win by unanimous decision 100-90 on all three cards.

Other Bouts

Arizona’s Jesus Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) won the battle of southpaw super welterweights by technical knockout over Mexico’s Vladimir Hernandez (13-5, 6 KOs) in the sixth round. While it lasted it was a bruising battle between two rock-chinned fighters.

After three rounds Ramos seemed to figure out how to avoid Hernandez’s punches and how to land his own. Then it was all downhill for Hernandez after that. An exchange of blows found Ramos connecting with an overhand left that wobbled Hernandez badly. The Arizona fighter than slid into attack mode like a hungry shark and finished him with a barrage of blows that forced referee Mike Ortega to halt the fight at 2:21 of the sixth round.

Former two-division world titlist Luis Nery (32-1, 24 KOs) nearly bungled a win but managed to win by split decision over fellow Mexican Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a super bantamweight elimination fight.

Nery gained control with one-two connection that dropped Castro in the first round. He tried to finish the job but was unsuccessful. For the next several rounds the bearded Tijuana fighter was in complete control.

Perhaps too much success spoiled Nery who resorted to urging Castro to fight. The tall slim fighter used every trick in the book but was unable to hurt Nery, but he was able to take advantage of Nery’s lack of activity. After 10 rounds, Nery pulled it out by split decision 96-93, 95-94 and 94-95.

Late replacement Luke Santamaria (13-2-1, 7 KOs) of East L.A. survived an ugly first round to mount an impressive rally and defeat the favored Abel Ramos (27-5-2, 21 KOs) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds in a welterweight eliminator.

Arizona’s Ramos caught and staggered Santamaria with the first punch he connected in the opening round and it looked like the replacement for Riverside’s Josesito Lopez would not survive the first round. But the ability to stay out of danger with movement and counters allowed Santamaria to survive.

With each round Santamaria seemed to be gathering intel on the aggressive Ramos. Midway through the fight it was apparent he had figured out the formula and was unloading countermeasures with effective results.

Ramos never quit trying for the homerun but seemed to find less and less success with each round. After 10, all three judges saw Santamaria the winner 96-94 twice and 98-92.

Omar Juarez (13-1, 5 KOs) pulled out a split decision after 10 rounds versus Ryan Karl (19-4, 12 KOs) in a rough and tumble slugfest in a welterweight fight.

Elbows were flying and right hands connected often but both fighters refused to surrender and the fans benefitted from their fury. At times it seemed Karl would pull ahead and then suddenly it would switch and Juarez would gain the momentum. Neither fighter deserved to lose.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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