Keith Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) returns to the ring this Saturday after more than two and a half years of inactivity. The American looks to the future with optimism, although today he will face a very formidable opponent, the former holder of the WBA regular belt in super lightweight Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs).
However, Thurman targets one opponent, and this name has not changed for him for quite a long time. This Errol Spence Jr. (27-0, 21 KOs), with whom Thurman has been comparing himself for several years.
“We would have fought Errol Spence if I had not lost to Manny Pacquiao. Everything that happened at welterweight only happened because Pacquiao was able to beat me on points with his punches, composure and defense,” said the former WBA and WBC champion.
“If Pacquiao didn’t have the WBA belt, Errol Spence would never have signed a contract to fight him, as I once did. Errol suffered an eye injury and Pacquiao defeated Ugas. Rumor has it that Errol will now fight Ugas. None of this would have happened if I had not lost and lost my WBA belt. Errol Spence has always been on my wish list. I thought that we would meet in 2020 after my fight with Josesito Lopez, but due to the operation on my hand, the coronavirus, and because of everything else, some things did not work out.
“Without the belt, I am not the man Spence is worth fighting for. I am not one to be defeated because I have already been defeated. And I understand that. My goal was to team up with Errol and take on two undefeated welterweight champions in a unification fight. My career didn't go as planned, but I'm young enough, he's young enough, and our fight is still an interesting matchup," Thurman said.
