Via Dan Ambrose: Tim Bradley says Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman has everything to gain in his WBC-ordered bout against IBF/WBA/WBC heavyweight champion Errol Spence Jr.
Bradley feels this is a great opportunity for former WBA/WBC 147-lb Thurman (30-1 22 KOs) to land a title and a big payday ahead of Spence (28-0.22 KOs).
With that said, Bradley predicts that Thurman will be knocked out by Spence, who will attack him to the body, which has proven to be his weakness.
Thurman’s inactivity since making good money back in 2017 has hurt his game and isn’t a good thing as he’s only fought three times in the past five years. While Thurman largely blames his inactivity on injury, you can’t be like he’s been injured for the past 5 years.
“It will happen,” said Tim Bradley Sports artist KO about the fight between Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford. “These people right now, that’s the business. They fought the people they needed to face, the champions.
“It’s business, and if the business isn’t right, the war can’t happen. I believe they need each other. Both of these people need each other, and when the fight comes, I’ll be there.
“I want to see this match with my own eyes. I will be on the spot. So fans, stay tuned. There’s a lot of boxing to watch. Don’t think about the war; Let it be, and when it comes out, be ready.
“Of course, it was a good fight,” Bradley said of the fight between Spence and Keith Thurman ordered by the WBC. “Thurman still has some involvement in the sport, and Thurman had power. He can box and still have a good pair of legs.
“I just think it was a bad style match for him. You’ve got a restless guy like Spence, and Spence’s specialty is his body. That was Thurman’s weakness. We have seen Thurman injured many times.
“He was injured by a 140-pound object [Mario Barrios] His last time out. He was wounded by Barrios. What do you think Spence will do? He is going down the stairs. He’s going to check out that kitchen. He’s going to do some work.
“It was a tough style match, but I think he stops Keith Thurman. I don’t know which round, but I’m telling you right now, he’s going to stop him. That pressure is too constant. Yes, that would certainly be a statement.
“It’s time. I think Thurman is the right time for him now for Spence. He is [Thurman] look for that big payday, that big challenge. He is challenged for three straps. It’s a big opportunity for him.
“He has everything to gain and he can also get paid in the process,” Bradley continued about Thurman. “If he doesn’t win, I think he will retire after that. I don’t think there’s any reason for him to keep fighting.
“He’s at the door, man. He’s definitely at the door, and Spence can push him out. Yes, it’s a new crop of new heavyweights coming, younger and faster. You’re not as fast as you used to be.
“Your reflexes are starting to go a little further. You start to be affected a little more. Those punches start to feel different when you get hit in the chin. That doesn’t feel the same.
“These people are young, and they can fight. I’m telling you, [Jaron ‘Boots’] Ennis is a problem. [Vergil] Ortiz is a problem. I don’t even mess with [Conor] Benn is drinking that juice. He needs to leave that juice alone.
“What the hell are you doing? You haven’t learned yet? Cheer up son. Leave it alone, man. You don’t need it. Sit down. You need to stop hanging around with those guys in the gym. Convince you to do some stupid thing like that,” Bradley said of Conor Benn.
