Undefeated Welterweight World Champion Keith "One Time" Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) is ready for his July 11 Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN fight, the first PBC fight on ESPN. Thurman will meet former world champion Luis Collazo (33-6, 19 KOs) on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa.
The 26-year-old Thurman, who kicked off the inaugural PBC card with a unanimous decision victory over Robert Guerrero, believes he is the best 147-pound boxer in the world.
"I am an evolutionary boxer," Thurman said. "I change and grow with every camp, every fight, I am here to retain my title and become the undisputed, true welterweight champ."
One of the sport's hardest-hitting and most diverse fighters, Thurman trains out of St. Petersburg, FL under the tutelage of esteemed chief trainer Dan Birmingham at his St. Pete's Boxing Club. Birmingham is a two-time Boxing Writers Association of America "Trainer of the Year" and is a Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductee. He started working with Thurman when he was 15, having worked with longtime coach and mentor Ben Getty. Birmingham became Thurman's chief trainer when Ben passed away in 2009. Thurman's team consists of Birmingham, assistant trainer Chris Getty, physical therapist Eric Wilson and cutman Carlos Vargas.
"Keith continues to exemplify the dedication and expertise needed in this sport to not only become and stay world champion, but to truly showcase the science of boxing to fans across the globe," Birmingham said. "He's added some new dimensions to his training, including indoor rock climbing as well as his normal high-intensity gym workout. He is fit, focused and as always, ready to get into the ring."
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, are priced at $200, $150, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and go on sale Saturday, June 6 at 10 a.m. ET. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Sun Dome box office.
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