Terence Crawford is only interested in fighting marquee opponents after defeating Shawn Porter last Saturday. Errol Spence is the man Crawford most wants to share a ring with next. But former welterweight king Keith Thurman says he is more than ready to take on the WBO champion if the Crawford-Spence fight doesn’t materialize.
“I’m going to be getting back in the ring shortly,” Thurman promises boxing fans he is ready to get back to boxing. “I’m more than willing to step in the ring with Crawford next summer.”
Keith Thurman has lost one time in 30 professional fights. The last time he was in the ring, he suffered his lone defeat against Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Injuries and activity cause some boxing insiders to question if Thurman can fight the way he fought when considered the top welterweight in the sport.
Terence “Bud” Crawford is 38-0 with 28 knockouts. Many boxing fans view him as the best boxer on the planet. The WBO champion has expressed interest in fighting Thurman in the past.
Keith Thurman Returning From Layoff
Three years is a long time for a boxer to be away from the sport. This fact becomes more relevant when the opponent is Terence Crawford. But Thurman is confident he is the man that can pull it off.
Keith Thurman would most likely not have needed three years to return to the sport if he was not intent on fighting Manny Pacquiao again. Thurman held out in hopes of avenging a fight that he felt like a couple of mistakes prevented him from winning.
Bob Arum has promoted Terence Crawford for years and would like to see him take on undisputed light welterweight champion Josh Taylor next. But Crawford has fulfilled his contractual obligations with Top Rank boxing and is leaning toward leaving the company. He also shows little interest in Josh Taylor.
Crawford is clear on wanting Errol Spence above all other potential opponents. But if politics prevent that fight from happening next, there is a real chance Keith Thurman will get his chance against the pound for pound champion in the summer of 2022.