Keith Thurman looking forward to first Showtime main event on April 26

Keith "One Time" Thurman is getting the promotion up to main event status for an April 26 Showtime triple-header, as he'll face Julio Diaz in the headline bout at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. The rising welterweight star says he's motivated by being the main attraction:

"With this being the headliner, that makes me passionate. Knowing that I have a bright future after a great performance, that's what motivates me. I'm really looking forward to watching the undercard with Lucas Matthysse and Omar Figueroa. I just can't wait to get into the ring and display my talents again on April 26."

Thurman (22-0, 20 KO) had his first three major TV bouts on HBO in 2012-13, then moved to Showtime with the rest of the Golden Boy stable after that, going 2-0 on the network last year, beating Diego Chaves and Jesus Soto Karass after his final HBO bout in March, a win over ex-titleholder Jan Zaveck.

At 25, the powerful Thurman seems destined for the title picture by the end of 2014, and Golden Boy currently has the IBF belt held by Shawn Porter, the WBC belt held by Floyd Mayweather, and the WBA belt held by Marcos Maidana in their stable, plus a number of other welterweight names like Amir Khan, Adrien Broner, Luis Collazo, Robert Guerrero, Paulie Malignaggi, and Devon Alexander.