Keith Thurman wants Errol Spence to sign on the dotted line for a big fight. The former unified welterweight champion is calling out Spence, who hasn't fought since losing to Terence Crawford in July 2023.
Spence's last bout was a stoppage defeat to Crawford in their undisputed title showdown. Since then, he's been out of the ring, with rumors swirling about a potential return.
Thurman, who recently stopped Brock Jarvis in three rounds this March, claims he's tried to make the fight before. In an interview with FightHype, Thurman said:
"I got one phone call from Al Haymon to fight Errol Spence, I signed my contract, he didn't sign his. I got one phone call in my life to fight Errol, and when that phone call came I signed my contract."
Thurman explained why the fight didn't happen earlier in their careers:
"We're managed by the same manager. There was no reason to fight Errol when he was coming up because he was going to be a superstar."
Back in 2019, Thurman was expected to beat Manny Pacquiao, setting up a super fight with Spence. But Thurman lost to Pacquiao, changing those plans. After that, Spence tried to fight Pacquiao but had a retina problem. Yordenis Ugas stepped in to beat Pacquiao, and Spence later fought Ugas in what Thurman called a "sh**ty fight."
Thurman believes the timing is right for a showdown with Spence:
"Sometimes you have to set up super fights. If young Thurman and young Errol fight, is it a great fight? Yes. But you wouldn't acknowledge it to be the super fight it would have been, could have been, and still could be if he wants to come and sign that contract. Every Thurman is a great fight, it's Thurman vs the world baby."
While Thurman is pushing for the Spence fight, there are rumors he might face Vergil Ortiz next. But for now, Thurman's focus seems to be on getting Spence to agree to a long-awaited match-up between two former welterweight champions.
