A lot riding as Keith Thurman and Mario Barrios throw hands this Saturday

Though inactive for over two years and coming off his first career loss, Keith Thurman insists he hasn’t lost a thing in the ring.

“I’m not less-than after my loss; I’ll show greater skills to the fans in fighting Mario Barrios than I did against Manny Pacquaio."

Barrios, (26-1, 17 KOs) who was stopped by Gervonta Davis six months ago, is equally confident."

"I expect the best version of Keith Thurman," Barrios told this writer at Virgil Hunter’s gym in Hayward, CA. two weeks ago.

"I’ll be ready," he added.

The two former champions meet this Saturday at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs)  is the former WBA and WBC welterweight champion. His loss to Pacquiao stunned him.

Depression set in. The legendary Filipino sets the tempo of the bout by flooring Thurman in the opening stanza.

Thurman battled back in the middle rounds, only to have the starch knocked out of him by a body shot. Pacquiao won the fight by split decision.

Barrios lost his undefeated record and belt to WBA junior welterweight champion Gervonta Davis six months ago.  A major underdog, he did much better than most expected. He boxed well, tagging Davis with right hands. Davis came on late in the bout, scoring two knockdowns and being declared the winner in round 11.

The loss didn’t dog Barrios for long. He was proud of his performance. 

"It was a great learning experience, " Barrios told me. 

Thurman enters the fight a 3-1 favorite. That’s a significant edge and suggests oddsmakers believe that Thurman’s inactivity won’t hurt him against Barrios. Thurman has scored 22 knockouts in his 29 wins but has only stopped one opponent in his last five bouts. Hand and other injuries have been an issue.  

Barrios, 26, is the younger fighter by seven years. Returning so soon after a grueling fight is risky.  

Thurman is rightly favored. The former titleholder holds victories over former champions, Shawn Porter, and Danny Garcia.  

The pick here is Thurman by decision or late stoppage, but don’t go to sleep on Barrios. 

The young man is a warrior. He carries with him a nasty left hook to the body. In the past, Thurman hasn’t reacted well to body shots. 

Barrios grinned a little when I asked him about aiming a shot at Thurman’s body.

Consider it done.