WBA welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman, 27-0 (0), of Clearwater FL, defeated the No. 2 contender and former IBF welterweight champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter, 26-2 (16), of Akron, OH, over 12 tough and close rounds.

This event was brought by Bella Entertainment over Showtime CBS and Premier Boxing Champions promoted this welterweight championship fight out of the Barclay Center, in Brooklyn, NY.

In the opening round Thurman was standing in front of Porter for the most part and landing the harder punches. Porter was not coming forward or throwing punches in bunches as expected. In round two Porter pushed Thurman back into the ropes and put on a big assault keeping Thurman on the defense for most of the round for Porter. In round three Porter continued putting on the pressure out punching Thurman until the final seconds when Thurman landed a vicious right to the chin of Porter.

In round four it was Thurman landing harder punches hurting Porter inside of the final minute stopping Porter in his tracks and holding on. Porter suffered a small cut outside his left eye. In round five Porter came back well landing the better of the punching especially to the body of Thurman and hurting him with an overhand right to the chin. In round six round Porter continued to make Thurman fight his fight inside.

In round seven Thurman was on the attack in a very close round for both fighters. Porter gave as well as he took. In round eight Porter hurt Thurman with a left hook to the body backing him into the ropes. It was Thurman countering well.

In round nine it was Porter driving Thurman into the ropes with a vicious body attack. Thurman suffered a cut by the left eye. In the tenth round Thurman countered well while against the ropes. Thurman landed a hard right to the left side of the neck of Porter. In the eleventh round Porter came back strong but was knocked off balance by Thurman. Thurman countered with a right while Porter missed and Thurman came back with a left. Porter had Thurman pitted in a corner at the bell. In the corner Thurman looked worst of the two from the battle.

In the twelfth and final round both fighters let it all hang out in one great fight living up to it’s build up. Porter continued to land more punches but Thurman countered well.

Judges Marlinski, Roland and Weisfeld all had it 115-113 for Thurman not making the fans happy. This writer thought Porter did enough to win at 115-113. A draw would not have hurt either fighter. The referee was Kenny Willis.

“First I want to give God all the glory. I believe Shawn was very strong as I knew he would be. He is a great athlete. If he wants I will give him a rematch” said Thurman. “I thought I won the fight and think the fans want a rematch (they applauded that comment),” said Porter.