Via Dan Ambrose: Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman says he’ll accept to fight Terence Crawford this summer if it’s offered to him next after he’s in business with Mario Barrios on February 5 on FOX PPV at the Michelob Ultra Arena, in Las Vegas.
It’s a good selling point for Thurman’s fight with Barrios when it comes to letting the boxing public know that he plans to fight Crawford next.
Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) thinks all he needs to be ready to challenge WBO welterweight champion Crawford is a first match against Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs) first.
It’s been almost three years since Thurman last fought in 20019, and there are a lot of questions about whether he has anything left.
Thurman’s punching power will likely be the same as before his long-term break, but we don’t know if he’ll lose speed and endurance.
Thurman will bring Crawford next if offered
“If that is presented to me, I will fight. I am ready to fight all the champions,” Keith Thurman told Podcast stands last with Brian Custer.
“Fake lies. Bob Arum is a notorious liar,” Thurman said when asked why he asked for $10 million to fight Crawford. “How would I know because we never asked for anything.
“We did not give a figure in the negotiations. You see the number they give you in the table, and I should have said $10 million. His count is too low. I have to bring it up somehow.
“I should have said $20 million just to piss him off, but we didn’t say any numbers. We don’t like talking numbers. I never gave him a word of mouth. He came out with his own words.
“Maybe because we didn’t tell him the number, he assumed I wanted to make $10 million. I want a respectable contract. I want to get a contract with a respectable budget at the time of negotiation.
Crawford has made it clear that he wants to fight Thurman next and that he is ready to fight him in the first quarter of 2022.
When Crawford knew he had to wait until summer; he asked why.
Thurman lunging at Crawford was a foolish move, but it could indicate that he wanted instant cash if he was beaten by one of his opponents.
With all the time Thurman was out of the ring, he could lose to almost anyone.
Keith thinks he can compete with Crawford, Spence & Ugas
Being out of the ring for such a long time will make it difficult for Thurman to compete with Errol Spence Jr., Terence Crawford and Yordenis Ugas.
If Thurman were to fight any weight class champion, it would be very difficult for him due to the time he was out of the ring.
“I wasn’t presented with anything of that nature, and that’s why the fight didn’t happen,” Thurman said of the fight with Crawford.
“Of course, those are super important things in the heavyweight segment,” Thurman said when asked if he could line up with Errol Spence Jr., Terence Crawford and Yordenis Ugas.
“It’s all about skills, tactics. I can hit anyone, and from there, it’s boxing, honey. Hit and don’t get hit. That is the basic principle. I look forward to stepping into the ring.
“I am always ready to try to do the best I can. Win, lose or draw, I’m living a dream. Let them understand that you can’t be the best boxer in the world if you don’t beat Keith Thurman. Who are you?
“How are you the best boxer in the world if you haven’t beaten Keith Thurman? It’s honest. That is not prejudice. That’s just the truth,” Thurman said.
