Keith Thurman Successful In Comeback Fight Vs. Mario Barrios

Keith Thurman may have done enough to silence his doubters.

Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs, 1 NC) defeated Mario Barrios (26-2, 17 KOs) via unanimous decision Saturday night at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelo ULTRA Arena. Judges scored the matchup 118-110, 118-110 and 117-111, all for Thurman.

Saturday was Barrios’ debut in the welterweight division, a move up from the junior welterweight division where he last suffered a loss to Gervonta Davis. Thurman was also returning from a loss to Manny Pacquiao in July 2019.

Many fans were skeptical of Thurman since he had not seen action in 31 months, especially in a division that has grown without him.

Still, Thurman put on a fight, according to boxing critics.

In the opening round, Barrios landed a jab and straight right hand. Thurman seemed to already have some swelling beneath his left eye.

Barrios caught Thurman with an overhand right, but Thurman responded with a left hook – both in the second round. Thurman connected with two left hooks in the third round and later backed Barrios onto the ropes.

Six rounds later, Thurman was still keeping up the momentum and stunned Barrios with two combination punches. Combinations by Thurman would continue into the 10th round.

In the final round, Barrios and Thurman immediately traded punches. Barrios would land a right hand while Thurman tried to keep his distance in the final moments.

“I really grade this one like a C-plus, B-minus for myself,” Thurman told FOX Sports.

“…I saw some fundamental mistakes. You know, he was crossing his feet over. I was like, ‘OK, I can treat this boy like some of my sparring partners and I can just school him a little bit, get back on that jab more and land the better power shots, like I did all night.”