Keith Thurman makes triumphant return, Leo Santa Cruz wins

Keith Thurman made a triumphant return to the ring with a unanimous decision nod over Mario Barrios this Sunday at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, USA.

Thurman, a former WBA world welterweight champion, has not fought since losing his then title to Manny Pacquiao in July 2019.

Thurman came out swinging in the opening round. The size difference was apparent, but Barrios kept his composure and landed punches of his own.

A clubbing left hook on top from Thurman wobbled Barrios in round three. Barrios recovered but was hurt again with a barrage of punches the following round.

Thurman allowed Barrios to throw his best combinations at him in round 6, but none of the punches bothered him at all.

A hard right straight had hurt a bloodied Barrios in round 8. Thurman went for the kill only to get caught with a body shot that stopped him in his tracks.

Thurman looked way ahead on the scorecards but nevertheless engaged in the 12th and final round.

After three twelve rounds of action, all three judges saw the fight for Thurman. He improved his record to 30-1 with 22 knockouts while Barrios dropped to 26-2 with 17 knockouts.

In the co-main event, WBA world featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz added a win in his campaign at the 130-pound division with a unanimous decision nod over Keenan Carbajal.

The fight was all Santa Cruz from start to finish, as he attacked his foe and smothered him with combinations to the head and body.

All three judges scored all ten rounds for the Mexican after ten rounds of action, improving Santa Cruz’s record to 38-2-1 with 19 knockouts.

—JMB, GMA News