KEITH THURMAN picked up his first stoppage win in nearly 12 years with a third-round finish against Brock Jarvis at the Hordern Pavillion in Sydney, Australia.
The American also ended a three year period out of the ring to record his first victory since beating Mario Barrios, the current WBC welterweight champion, in February 2022.
Thurman faced Jarvis at super welterweight and looked strong and fit at the weight which makes him an interesting addition to a division full of talent. The 36-year-old will know, however, that far stiffer tests await.
Jarvis tried to use his thick set physique and strength to force Thurman back early on but a battle of the jabs played out as each man tried to impose themselves. Jarvis landed the first meaningful punch of the fight which roused his home fans. Thurman, meanwhile, was still trying to find his accuracy and timing.
Round two saw Thurman light on his feet moving around the ring throwing his jab but Jarvis was landing the more telling shots. The former two-time welterweight champion would finally get rid of his ring rust in the third, however.
In the second half of the session Thurman put together a crisp four-punch combination beginning with a right hand and ending with a left uppercut which floored Jarvis. The Marrickville fighter beat the count given by Will Solous but only just. In truth, Solous could have ended the fight there and then but he allowed the contest to continue. Jarvis still affected by the knockdown couldn’t recover and Thurman pounced. Upon the restart he thudded home with a right hand before a long left hook clipped Jarvis and dropped him for the second and final time. Thurman improves to, 31-1 (23 KOs), while Jarvis drops to, 22-2 (20 KOs).
Afterwards a thrilled Thurman spoke to commentator Ben Damon and said he would be happy to come back to Australia and fight one man in particular.
“I just raised the bar on you, Tszyu,” Thurman said with the former WBO super welterweight champion ringside.
The two men were due to fight in 2024 but injury forced Thurman out and brought Sebastian Fundora in at short notice who then beat Tszyu on points in a gory and demanding 12-round battle.
“Three years of inactivity you see what I do,” Thurman continued.
“You want to come back, you gotta come back hard, baby. We’ve got another fighter coming for you, boy, and you best believe American fighters don’t just lie down for anyone, man. Best of luck to Tim Tszyu.”
After losses to Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev the return of Tszyu is pencilled in for April 6 Down Under against Michigan’s Joey Spencer.
Should Tszyu win then there is every chance we may see ‘The Soul Taker’ face ‘One-Time’ Thurman later in 2025.
