On June 25, 2016, SHOWTIME aired the highly anticipated boxing event, Showtime Championship Boxing: Thurman vs. Porter. The fight was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and featured two of the top welterweight fighters in the world, Keith "One Time" Thurman and Shawn "Showtime" Porter.
The event was hosted by Brian Custer, with expert commentary provided by Al Bernstein, Paulie Malignaggi, and Barry Tompkins. The atmosphere inside the Barclays Center was electric as fans eagerly awaited the main event.
The undercard fights were action-packed, with rising stars in the boxing world showcasing their skills. The co-main event featured a bout between featherweights Jesus Cuellar and Abner Mares, which ended in a controversial split decision in favor of Cuellar. The fans were on edge as they awaited the highly anticipated matchup between Thurman and Porter.
The main event began with both fighters coming out strong in the first round, trading blows and jockeying for position. Thurman's speed and power were evident early on as he landed several combinations and kept Porter on his back foot. However, Porter's tenacity and pressure eventually started to wear on Thurman, who had to withstand several punches from the hard-hitting challenger.
As the fight progressed, both fighters showed tremendous heart and determination, with neither willing to give an inch. Porter's aggressive style continued to push Thurman, who had to continually resort to his counter-punching ability to stay in the fight.
In the later rounds, Thurman's superior conditioning began to take effect as Porter started to tire. However, Porter refused to give up, coming forward relentlessly and trying to mount a comeback.
The fight went the distance, with both fighters throwing everything they had at each other until the final bell. The judges scored the fight in favor of Thurman, who retained his welterweight title with a unanimous decision. Although Porter came up short, he earned the respect of fans and pundits alike with his relentless performance.
Overall, Showtime Championship Boxing: Thurman vs. Porter was a thrilling event that showcased two of the best boxers in the world at the top of their game. The atmosphere inside the Barclays Center was electric, and the broadcast team did an excellent job of capturing the excitement and drama of the event. Boxing fans around the world were treated to a memorable night of action, and the future looks bright for both Thurman and Porter.