Premier Boxing Champions 2015: Fight Card, TV Schedule for March 7
On Saturday, March 7, an event that could change the way the sport of boxing is viewed in the United States will take place. No, the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight didn't get moved up; it's the debut of the Premier Boxing Champions series on NBC.
The Al Haymon-led company is bringing major fights back to network television for the first time in decades. Saturday's NBC show is the first event from PBC, but that's just the first in a lineup of cards that will be showcased on CBS, Spike TV through 2017 and Bounce TV.
PBC has secured deals with each of those networks and already has three more announced events coming between March and April. PBC is coming out hard with its first card, which will be broadcast live from the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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Two compelling bouts headline the card: WBA regular welterweight champion Keith "One Time" Thurman (24-0, 21 KO) will defend his title against Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero (32-2-1, 18 KO). The polarizing former three-division champion, Adrien "The Problem" Broner (29-1, 22 KO) will take on "The Gladiator" John Molina Jr. (27-5, 22 KO) in a tough 140-pound scrap.
Abner Mares (28-1-1, 15 KO), another former three-division title holder, will face off against Arturo Santos Reyes (18-4, 5 KO) in an undercard bout that may be seen as part of the main broadcast on NBC or on replay on a NBC Sports Network channel. This will depend on how long the feature fights last.
Take note of the time and card structure in the table below.
| Adrien "The Problem" Broner vs. "The Gladiator" John Molina | Junior Welterweight |
| (c) Keith "One Time" Thurman vs. Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero for Thurman's WBA regular welterweight title | Welterweight |
| Abner Mares vs. Arturo Santos Reyes (May be seen as tape delay on NBCSN at 11 p.m. ET) | Featherweight |
Mares vs. Reyes
Since being stopped by Jhonny Gonzalez in the first round of his first defense of the WBC featherweight title in Aug. 2013, Mares has won two straight fights. Most recently he pummeled Jose Ramirez into submission in Dec. 2014. Ramirez was down three times before he was forced to retire on his stool before the sixth round.
Mares is slowly working his way back up the ladder in hopes of challenging for another world title.
According to Boxing News 24, Mares would like to face current WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz. The ladder could potentially move up a division to make what would be an interesting and lucrative fight.
Mares said:
“I hope Leo Santa Cruz is next. I know it’s there. I just want to look sharp and go from there.”
Reyes will be trying to ruin Mares' plans. While he's had just 22 professional fights, Reyes has garnered a tough-guy reputation. On Saturday night, he'll need a little more than toughness to take down Mares.
Broner vs. Molina
Few fighters draw as big of a crowd as Broner. The line of people ready to watch The Problem is filled with lovers and haters, but nonetheless it's still packed. On Saturday, he has a tough assignment against the gritty and hard-punching John Molina Jr.
Since losing his first professional bout to Marcos Rene Maidana in Dec. 2013, Broner has scored unanimous-decision victories over Carlos Molina and Emmanuel Taylor. There's some intrigue in the matchup with Molina because there are some similarities between the latter and Maidana.
Molina is expected to apply pressure to Broner and to look to land a big shot that tests The Problem's chin. I had an opportunity to talk to Broner, and we discussed the upcoming bout and his involvement with PBC. It was interesting to speak with a more reserved Broner during the interview:
For PBC's coming-out party, you can bet Broner will be ready to entertain and give the people what they came—or expected—to see. Per Andreas Hale of The Ring Magazine, Broner has already given himself a new network-friendly moniker.
“I am Mr. NBC and I’ll be on NBC all this year. Four times you will see me in the ring on NBC and I’ll fight anybody who is willing to grab that rope and hang themselves.” Molina will attempt to climb "the rope" toward a huge victory.
Thurman vs. Guerrero
Once Mayweather and Pacquiao have retired or have declined greatly in skill, the 147-pound division could belong to Thurman. Of every fighter currently competing at welterweight, One Time might have the most impressive blend of speed and power.
Only three of his 25 opponents (one no-contest) have escaped being stopped by the powerful and quick Floridian. At 26 years old, Thurman is still young, but he is already calling himself a "master."
He told ESPN.com's Brian Campbell:
"You're not going to get the full Keith "One Time" Thurman just from one fight. It's a strategic game. I hope that people can see that I'm a young master at the craft. I'm always thinking and always moving. I always try to make it exciting, but I'm also trying to win the round at the same time. We look for the knockout, we hurt practically everybody that steps into the ring in front of me. I'm hoping for a great fight [on Saturday] and it should be fan friendly.
"
The "master" will be tested by a Ghost when Guerrero comes calling. The rugged former featherweight and super featherweight champion took some time away after being dominated by Mayweather back in May 2013.
He won a hard-fought decision over Yoshihiro Kamegai in June 2014 and hasn't competed since.
Taking on Thurman is a tall task and huge opportunity for Guerrero. The winner of this fight is in position to do great things. Thurman could easily be considered a legitimate opponent for the Mayweather-Pacquiao winner, unless of course the two rematch in September.
Even if the two biggest fish are unavailable, Thurman could look at one of the winners of PBC's Spike TV card on March 13 as a potential next opponent. That event features scraps between Andre Berto and Roberto Garcia, and Shawn Porter and Josesito Lopez.
Guerrero would have similar options, although it would be hard to sell him in a rematch with Mayweather. Nonetheless, this is an important fight on a historic card. Whether you love or hate the fighters set to appear this weekend, every boxing fan should be happy real prizefighting is being offered on free TV and basic cable.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
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