Thurman-Porter could provide star boxing needs to replace Mayweather, Pacquiao
The welterweight division lacks the star power it had when Mayweather and Pacquiao dominated, but don't confuse that for a lack of talent
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2 min read
Welterweight was the premier division in boxing for years, thanks to the star power of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Those two were boxing's biggest stars -- and still are to an extent even in retirement and semi-retirement -- and they had tremendous competition, from Ricky Hatton to Shane Mosley to Timothy Bradley to Marcos Maidana and more.
Now, in the absence of Mayweather and Pacquiao, the welterweight division (and really boxing as a whole) is searching for its next star. The division is filled with young talent, but lacks a definitive star.
Searching for the next Floyd Mayweather is a fool's errand. Mayweather was a once-in-a-generation talent inside the ring, and one of the best to ever do it from a promotional standpoint. That said, the welterweight division is on the precipice of having a few fighters that, when matched up, could carry a pay-per-view card -- which, at this point, is what determines star value.
Three of the division's current champions are undefeated -- Danny Garcia, Kell Brook and Keith Thurman -- and there are more than a few worthy challengers lurking behind them -- Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Errol Spence, Tim Bradley and Jessie Vargas to name a few.
Thurman will defend his title against Porter this Saturday in primetime on CBS in a bout that both understand is an opportunity to take another step towards being the welterweight division's next star. For Thurman, he's taking a measured approach to his goal of being boxing's top star -- something you can do when you're a 27-year-old, undefeated champion -- knowing it's about sustained excellence that makes fans believe you're "the guy."
"I do not think one fight can replace a legend overnight. Floyd Mayweather did not get the recognition he got in one fight," Thurman told CBS Sports. "He got it from being at the top for over a decade. So, Keith Thurman is at the top and winning this fight will only prove that I belong at the top but for me, my job is not done until I've stayed at the top for the remainder of my career."
Porter feels this fight can be a springboard to stardom, if he can earn a win over the hard-hitting Thurman on a primetime network televised event.
"It's humongous," Porter told CBS Sports. "Right behind Mayweather-Pacquiao comes Porter-Thurman. We know who won that fight and we're waiting to find out who wins this one. I think the way Mayweather established his greatness by beating Pacquiao is the same way I'll establish my greatness by beating Thurman."
While it's a big stretch to compare Saturday's fight to Mayweather-Pacquiao, the point is understood. The welterweight division is in need of a star and Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter will be front and center for all the boxing world to see, with a chance to make a statement that one of them will be the new star of the welterweight division.
