Somebody would have to explain to me how anybody could score that fight for Cherry. Thank God the gift streak came to an end.
Thurman sent the message early. If Garcia thought he could rely on countering Thurman, Thurman showed even when he missed wild shots he was still dangerous in there. Garcia didn't help himself by his low punch output. Those close rounds went to Thurman who threw and landed more and landed the more effective shots.
Based on post-fight interview, seems like Garcia was spooked by Thurman's counters. Hence the low output. On the other hand, Thurman was good (much better than expected) at avoiding Garcia's counter.
:bears: Garcia had a few very good rounds, but no way enough to win 7 rounds. Never a split decision.
I haven't seen the fight yet but based on the comments it seems to have gone exactly as I predicted (no Manny Stewart). From what y'all are saying, it was always going the distance and Thurman won pretty clear...despite the official Split decision.
The Sly One knows what he's talking about. Thurman won clearly but it was almost a controversial decision.
It was a good fight. When you talk about a fighter wanting to set the tone and send a message early, the first round went exactly how Thurman needed it to go. I am sure the Garcias were very confident that Danny could outbox Thurman and that he could sit in the pocket and pick Thurman apart when he missed with wild punches. Thurman came out very aggressive and after Danny landed a few counters in the first minute , Thurman landed some bombs and shook Garcia. He was surprisingly able to land big rights in the next few rounds without having to set up the jab. From rounds 1-5, Thurman was throwing 20 more punches per round and landing more. He also shook Garcia a few times and though Garcia landed some decent shots and put in good work to the body, Thurman was never really stunned by anything. I had it 5-0 at that point (Farhood had it 4-1) as I couldn't justify giving Garcia even the close rounds.
Garcia doesn't have the variety or power to get out situations where the other guy is just a bit better.
REED Seems to Be in the Minority, but he Wasn't Terribly Impressed w/EITHER Man, Last Night...Typically, Fights Like These ENHANCE 1 or Both Fighters...But Last Night Did the OPPOSITE, in REED's Opinion... For Starters, the Biggest, Most IMPACTFUL Punch of the Entire Bout was Landed in the Very 1st Round...Big Right Hand Not Only Landed, but SPUN Garcia On his Heels...This Seemed to TAME Garcia a Bit and it Wasn't Until Late in the Fight, when he KNEW he was Losing, that Garcia Went for Broke... Danny was NEVER Going to "Out Box" Keith Thurman and it was FOOLISH to Even Try...He Treated Thurman as if he were Matttthhhhyyyyssse, but Thurman's a LOT Bigger than Lucas, a LOT More Athletic, w/a LOT Better Footwork...Team Garcia's Strategy was ALL WRONG...You Have to BRING the Fight to Thurman Throughout, Get INSIDE those Wild, Looping Shots and Compromise his Stamina from the Outset... Basically, All the Improbable Wins and Gift Decisions FINALLY Caught Up w/Boxing's Perennial Underdog...SOLID Fighter but NATHAN Special (Particularly @ '47), just as Most of Us ALWAYS Suspected... On the Other Hand, Thurman DIDN'T Exactly Bolster his Status All That Much Either, in REED's Opinion...Soooooooner, Rather than Later, he's Going to Get PAINFULLY Exploited Right Down the Middle...Errol Spence AND Kell Brook Would Beat Thurman, in REED's Opinion... Thurman's GOOD for the Sport Though...DIFFERENT Look, Nice VERBAL Game, Fan-Friendly Style...Similar to How REED Described David Haye on the Other Thread, yet Thurman Has Genuine AMBITION...And he's Willing Take Each Requisite Step to Achieve his Ultimate Goal, as Opposed to Trying to SHORTCUT His Way There... There was TANGIBLE Tension Last Night, Viewing the Bout Live...But REED Ain't Sure How REWATCHABLE this Bout was...And as Stated Earlier, he Thinks a Bit LESS of Each Fighter, When Last Night was All About ENHANCING 1 or Both of Them... REED:hammert: