Keith Thurman caused many boxing fans to raise an eyebrow recently when he said the winner of the Manny Pacquaio-Errol Spence fight becomes the undisputed champion of the welterweight division. Some fans took Thurman’s words as a slight to undefeated WBO champion Terence “Bud” Crawford.
Thurman clarified his comments by saying the WBO belt is not recognized the same way as the WBC and WBA championships. He says he respects the argument that there is another undefeated champion in Terence Crawford. But double-downed on his stance that either Pacquiao or Spence will emerge from their clash as an undisputed champion.
Keith Thurman says he favors Spence’s size and youth in the Pacquiao megafight. He also says, “styles make fights,” and it has been a while since Pacquaio has faced another “world-class southpaw.”
Thurman cautioned Spence not to underestimate Pacquiao’s speed and unorthodox punching angles. He says a win against Spence makes Pacquiao the most accomplished fighter in history.
Thurman says he still wants to fight Spence. The problem is Spence may decide to move to the 154-pound weight class following the fight with Pacquiao. “I heard long ago he had the desire to move up,” Thurman explains.
Keith Thurman has also expressed interest in fighting Terence Crawford but says promoter Bob Arum is an obstacle. His advice to Crawford is “to get away from Bob.” He says that Bob does not respect the WBO champion and cannot secure the matchups with PBC fighters that Crawford craves.
Recent talk has Keith Thurman in negotiations for a rematch with former world champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter. The two men fought a hotly contested battle five years ago. Thurman emerged victorious in the first fight by a 115-113 score on all three judges’ scorecards. Fans could be in store for another epic battle between the two gladiators as early as the fall.