Premier Boxing Champions 2015: Fight Card and TV Schedule for July 11

WBA welterweight champion Keith "One Time" Thurman (25-0, 21 KO) wants to face Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. before the all-time great calls it a career. Thurman likely has just one more chance to prove he's worthy of a spot in the Mayweather sweepstakes.  

On Saturday, Thurman will take on veteran southpaw Luis Collazo (36-6, 19 KO) in the main event of the debut of the Premier Boxing Champions series on ESPN.

When: Saturday, July 11, at 9 p.m. ET

Where: USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida

TV: ESPN

The PBC is replacing ESPN's long-running Friday Night Fights series, and its first show will showcase one of the best young fighters in the sport. The 26-year-old Thurman will look to defend his secondary WBA title and keep his record spotless against a grizzled pro who has been in with some of the best fighters in the weight region.

Collazo is coming off a second-round TKO win over lightly regarded Christopher Degollado in April. Before that, Collazo was taken apart by Amir Khan in a one-sided unanimous decision that went in favor of the latter.

Thurman headlined the March 7 PBC card from the MGM Grand. He battered Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero for 12 rounds and won a clear decision in his most impressive victory to date. He fought through the effects of a badly swollen forehead caused by a headbutt early in the fight.

Eric Jamison/Associated Press

While he looked damaged, he was clearly the man dishing out punishment to the rugged Mexican challenger. Thurman hoped his last win would be enough to earn him a shot at Mayweather, but that opportunity hasn't come to fruition just yet.

Mayweather is set to fight for what could be the last time in September. Like almost every other fighter in the weight region, Thurman would love to be Mayweather's opponent. Per the video below from Garneksports, Thurman sounds hungry for a meaningful fight—whether it's against Mayweather or another top fighter.

He says this about his chances and "deserving" a shot at the pound-for-pound king:

"

I believe I am in the Mayweather sweepstakes. I believe deserve the fight. I worked hard. I made myself up in the ranks, higher than most people he would even consider. I may get it [the Mayweather fight] or I may not get it. I don't need Mayweather in my career. But it is an exciting fight for the American public. It is an all American battle to do down.

"

It would be great to see a talented and determined young fighter like Thurman get his opportunity to shine against the best. Apparently, before that happens, he'll have to solve Collazo.

Before Thurman and Collazo get in the ring, junior middleweight Tony Harrison will put his undefeated record (21-0, 18 KO) on the line against Willie Nelson (23-2-1, 13 KO). This bout is a measuring-stick affair for both men.

Harrison has displayed devastating punching power in his career, but the 24-year-old Detroit native has yet to face a top-notch opponent. The very skilled and tall (6'3") Nelson represents a step up in competition. Nelson has long been considered an up-and-coming fighter in his own right, but as of now, the 28-year-old Cleveland native has been inconsistent in his career.

Harrison comes in with a glowing endorsement from his late former trainer and legend Emanuel Steward. Because of Harrison's skill and power, Steward gave him the nickname "Superbad" after one of the Kronk Gym legend's former fighters, Bernard "Superbad" Mays, per Lem Satterfield of PremierBoxingChampions.com.

Harrison may be fighting on the undercard in this event, but if he really is Superbad, this might be his last appearance as a secondary attraction.

If fight fans are lucky, we may just see two future megastars take the next big step in their careers.

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