Keith Thurman Injury: Updates on Boxer's Neck After Car Accident

Daniel KramerFeb 22, 2016

Keith Thurman’s highly anticipated welterweight title bout with Shawn Porter will not take place March 12 after Thurman suffered a neck injury in a car accident on Feb. 22, according to Mike Coppinger of USA Today’s BoxingJunkie.com.

Continue for updates.

Thurman Recovery Timeline Revealed

Tuesday, Mar. 1

"We are anticipating that [Thurman] will be cleared to get back into camp in the coming weeks," said Hanna Bolte, a media representative of the boxer, per World Boxing News.

"It is a short-term injury and we also anticipate a rescheduled date for his fight with [Porter] soon," she concluded.

Thurman Neck Injury Postpones Bout with Porter

Monday, Feb. 22

Thurman suffered the injury in a car accident last week while driving through a rainstorm, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com. The March 12 fight against Porter was officially postponed.

Fight promoter Lou DiBella elaborated on how Thurman suffered the injury.

“The injury was really sustained from the air bag deploying,” DiBella said, per Coppinger. "It gave him whiplash. He’s going to take a few weeks without boxing activity and physical therapy, but he’s going to be fine. Things happen.”

DiBella said he hopes to see Thurman at full strength before he goes for his title defense against Porter, per Rafael:

"
While it's unfortunate that we must temporarily postpone this marquee matchup, a main event of the magnitude of Thurman versus Porter requires both fighters be healthy and at their best. Keith is anxious to resume training as soon he is able, and both he and Shawn are looking forward to a new fight date.
"

Ken Porter, Shawn’s father, took a jab at Thurman in an interview with SB Nation’s Fight Hub TV last week:

Thurman Looking for 3rd Straight Title Defence

The postponement is particularly disappointing for CBS, which was set to air Premier Boxing Champions’ headline event in prime time. DiBella indicated the other bouts on the card may move to Showtime, per Coppinger.

Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) fought twice in 2015, and when he does face Porter, he’ll be going for his third title defense in a bout that fans will await with much anticipation. Major interest will continue to follow the fight, so both men can be expected to battle in front of a prime-time audience soon.