What’s Next For Keith Thurman?
Keith Thurman defeated Brock Jarvis in his first fight since 2022, raising question marks over his next steps.
Thurman followed up on another win, taking his record to 30-1. He only had one loss, which came against Manny Pacquiao in 2019. Thurman was meant to box Tim Tsyzu last year. However, he had to pull out of the fight after suffering from a bicep injury. Those injuries have curtailed his career into having just two fights since 2019. Before the Jarvis fight, there was talk over Thurman facing Tszyu. The latter has lost his last two fights, meaning he is not in the best form.
A defeat to Sebastian Fundora meant he was no longer the WBO Junior Middleweight Champion. He followed that up with a stoppage defeat against the IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Bakhram Murtazaliev. Tszyu is looking to have a strong 2025, meaning that there is a narrative in place to make the Thurman fight. The winner would ultimately take a big step into putting their name into the conversation for the biggest bouts.
Options
The other alternative is to fight against Errol Spence. Jr. Thurman recently revealed that he had signed a contract to fight Spence before the latter took his bout with Terence Crawford. Spence was knocked out as Crawford became the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era. Since then, Spence has undergone cataract surgery on his right eye. He has been linked with a fight against Fundora.
However, so far, there has not been an official announcement. A Spence fight offers both fighters the opportunity to secure one big payday before they leave the sport. They were both former unified welterweight champions and have nothing else to prove. It is also a fight that could easily be made since they both have close ties with PBC.
Thurman Reacts
Equally, Thurman could explore other options at 154. He could face other contenders in the division, such as Jermell Charlo. Charlo has not boxed since losing to Canelo Alvarez when he moved up two weight classes to take the fight at super middleweight.
Charlo is also no longer a world champion, meaning there are fewer obstacles to make this bout. But the question is whether Thurman wants to face Charlo and work his way up or whether he wants to go for the biggest name in the form of Spence. Thurman mentioned those names, including Ryan Garcia.
“I’m ready for the [Jermell] Charlos. I’m ready to get in the ring with Errol Spence if he’s looking for a fight. Fundora obviously. I might have to get back in the ranks before I can officially mandate a fight of that caliber. There are a lot of options. I’m willing to look at them all when they get brought to the table. “I got to see what comes onto the table.
“I think with the height that I just accomplished, a lot of people will be looking forward to getting that Keith Thurman fight. There’s a lot of young names. There are 147-pounders that are thinking about moving up. If Keith Thurman could ever get in the ring with Ryan Garcia, you know I’m signing that. If Ryan thinks he’s a big, bad boy and is thinking about moving up and keep fighting big names,” Thurman said
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