Former unified welterweight world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman talked about his February 5 PPV clash against former super lightweight world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios on February 5 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Thurman. “I’m not injured anymore and I feel great. I’m excited to perform for the fans in Las Vegas once again. It’s not ideal to have a layoff like I had, but you just have to roll with things in life. I’ve spent a lot of time meditating and prioritizing different things. Now the date is set and I can’t wait to get back in action. I truly love this sport.
“I was given a few options for opponents, and once I heard Barrios had interest in it, I knew that he was coming off an exciting fight and that I wanted to make it happen. Once Barrios was on the menu, I was ready to take him.
“There’s always pressure to be great. That pressure makes diamonds. Fighters like me and like Barrios, we want to shine. We take that pressure and everything coming our way. That’s the path of the warrior. There’s so much beauty in it. Our hearts pump better when we take those challenges head on.
“There’s no test better than a Keith Thurman test. You don’t step to Keith Thurman if you don’t want to make a name for yourself at 147. We have two fighters coming off of losses, which means we both have to prove ourselves. The time is now. Talk about the past if you want, but February 5, new stories will be created.
“In 2019, I fought Manny Pacquiao because that was the most exciting thing I could do then. Once I’m comfortable in this return, I’m coming for greatness. We know we’ve fallen from the ladder and we’re looking up. That’s okay, because we’re going to take it one step at a time to get back to where we were, in the top spot of the welterweight division.
“The fire has been burning inside me my whole life. It doesn’t matter what we’re competing in. When you’re in this sport, you’re in it to win. You have to be. That competitiveness is natural for me. No matter how long I’m off, I’m thinking about boxing.
“I’m here to prove that I’m not the kind of fighter that you can write off. The cream is going to rise to the top. I might have fallen, but you best believe I’m going to rise again. This year is about doing what I have to do to be at the pinnacle of the division.”
Coming for greatness just takes him awhile to go for it. Barrios will be his 4th fight in 5 years. Gary Russell calls Thurman inactive
That’s a pretty good comparison, actually. They’re the same age, they started fighting professionally about a year apart and Russell has one more fight. They’re both also really good fighters who will unfortunately probably be remembered more for long stretches of inactivity than almost anything they actually did in the ring.
lispy fool…
Coming for greatness does not equal PPV.
I’m expecting record low numbers for this PPV. The main event has 2 fighters coming off losses in an absolutely stacked division where there are 8-10 guys easily ahead of them for a title fight. Thurman has been seen so rarely his nickname should be the Sasquatch. This is a Fox Sunday night fight. Comparable to Lipinets vs Peterson.
I wonder who else was in the menu, because Barrios has been chosen as the most winnable fight. I respect what Thurman says about his health and injures, but if he is really healthy now and win easy against Barrios, he should try to fight at least 2 more times in 2022. Truly I believe he is running out of time to reach some of the expected potential when he was the main guy at 147, that was around 2013-2014. Thurman style is all wrong for Terence Crawford, I would love to see this fight.
Crawford would have target practice with Thurman based off styles. Thurman too flat footed at times to even effectively counter punch Crawford when he is moving at angles.
Thurman’s also shown vulnerability to bodyshots. Paq and Collazo hurt him there.
Respecting your point of view, flat footed fighter is not the one I saw against Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter. Thurnan IMO, at his best, has a nice foot work and is ver quick with his hands, also his punching power is very decent. Overall, I am sure he could be the best fighter Crawford has faced. As long as Thurman doesn’t have any health issue to prevent him reach top condition.
Vergil Ortiz and Dany Garcia are flat footed, and they for sure would be target practice for Crawford
Thank you for your reply. You are right, Thurman does have his moments he is on his “A” game in technique using great foot work and offensive tactics. I think Thurman did the best fighting Garcia. Have a great week.
Come on Burcho, Thurman probably gained so much weight and now has to lose it. His fights prior to fighting Pacman seen him getting hurt in the midsection and almost losing in some close battles. Never seen Barrios fight but I would train him to attack his body and be in shape. Crawford would tear into Thurman body also and stop him in about rounds7 to 10.
Thurman had a promising career and should have been a house hold name by now, but he blew it by being inactive fighting once a year. That’s why he calls himself one time cause he fights once a year or once every few years. his Career is over.
I’m allways stoked about reading your comments because you really love and understand the sport of boxing, but this time i disagree with your last sentence. I didn’t think he’s done and i’m sure Thurman would’ve fought more if he could’ve.. Have a nice new year’s eve Arturo ! Bye
Clown. Lispy fake. He lost legit to Pac and he will never be the same. Long layoffs. A 140 pound guy he is fighting who was in his last fight knocked out by a 135 pound guy. One time…long time ago you were something, now you sit by a deteriorating swimming pool wishing you were still hungry and not desperate. Not going to be a broadcaster either with that lisp.
Read Jj’s comment under your’s and reflect about how negative you are.. Do you know the word compassion ?!
I am disabled. My mom died of mad cow disease. I took care of my dad as he was in his last years in my home. He died on my couch . My wife of 24 years died of breast cancer 18 years ago. I go on and never make excuses nor cry when you point out I am a cripple. My accomplishments are not contingent of your being nice. Roberto Duran would f your wife then kick your ass. If keith Thurman is upset because I called him a lispy pussy, then do as Roberto Duran , or Pernell for that matter would do…kick my ass. If Keith needs your support, that says it all. Compassion? Take a fucking speech class AND train like a mo fo. Thurman will never be better than he has been. He also has lost fire , having sat by the pool. His money stream has stopped since he no longer fights …and now he is fighting a guy who was just knocked out by a 130 pound guy. Pitiful. Disgusting. This is a sham fight, by a finished fighter , in a sport where Jake Paul, dear gawd, is actually considered in the same breath as the afore mentioned Duran, and Whitaker. Makes me puke, but here we are. With a pussy fighter being supported by people who are worried about his FEELINGS…I stand by what I said…Thurman is a lispy pussy
Thurman is an absolute weapon. I love this guy and I’m Australian. Everyone wishes he fought more but just sit back and think that maybe he bloody couldn’t do it. Hopefully a healthy fit Thurman throws a spanner in the works for the division and fights 3 times in 1 year to get back on top!
Agree with you and love your comment full of compassion.. A fresh air into the comment section !
Back on Top? He arguably lost his last three fights. Long past his prime that was over 5 years ago
Thurman just clout chasing at this point stop entertaining this guy hes done and will struggle against Barrios and if he does get past 140lb Barrios he will get KOd by Spence or Crawfish
Oh Keith, sorry to say but you’ve been gone so long I hardly missed you! So many good matchups were readily available and you decided to nurse an elbow for years it seems! Gotta give it to Spence by way of comparison, who came off a catastrophic near death car accident and took on Danny Garcia in his FIRST FIGHT back!!!!!!!!!
Thurman is a very good and complete fighter…. when he actually !! He is going to win this one in my opinion but what next for him if so ?!!
Walking, talking Ass Clown!
3 of the same Deluded bloodline : King Amir “Glass Jaw” Khan, Ryan “The voyeur” Garcia and Keith “One time a hit wonder” Thurman. Love how those guys lived in Lala Land Can’t be real
A Thurman at 100% is a player at 147.
he is coming for graseness…that is how a lisper pronounces greatness…
That ship has sailed.
The choice of opponent says everything. And I think he’ll struggle with him too just as he did with Josesito Lopez. It’s over. With his verbal theatrics Thurman is better suited to WWE these days.
Keith Thurman fights in 147 so he picks 140 pounder to call his self great,I hope he collects a good purse and goes down to 135 against loma and gets spanked in then retires rich.