Thurman Says Mayweather Faces Uphill Battle Against Garcia

Keith Thurman believes Floyd Mayweather Jr. would be at a clear disadvantage against WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia, who has been linked to a surprise title fight with the 49-year-old.

Mayweather hasn’t fought professionally since stopping Conor McGregor in 2017 to reach 50-0, though he has boxed eight exhibitions since. A comeback rematch with Manny Pacquiao was expected this year until talks fell apart over outside legal issues. A Garcia fight could make Mayweather the oldest world champion in boxing history.

Thurman, speaking to FightHype, compared it to Larry Holmes beating Muhammad Ali and questioned whether ego is driving the idea.

“In a 12-round fight, I would definitely say that, at this stage, it is not really in Floyd’s favour. All of the inactivity, all of the stuff that he has done in the media. At 50, athletically, that is a big hurdle. With the young guys, with their speed and the way that Ryan is locked in, staying in shape and things like that, it just feels like one of those ego-modes where someone is taking over the limelight that you used to dominate.

“You were the face of boxing, the king, the money man and this and that. Now, we are hitting a new generation and I am not sure how important it is, at this time, for Floyd to defend that ‘0’. It could be one of those historic, passing-of-the-torch moments. Ali got to fight Larry Holmes, it would almost be something like that in today’s generation,” Thurman