FORMER unified welterweight world champion Keith Thurman, 30-1 (22 KOs), has been plagued by injuries in recent years, disrupting what has still been an incredibly successful career. Now, just as we thought we had seen the last of ‘One Time’, the American has been confirmed to be making a comeback and will do so on the other side of the globe.
After years of defending his WBA (Regular) title, Thurman overcame Shawn Porter in 2016 in a tough back-and-forth battle that was voted as the PBC fight of the year, and he later reaped the rewards of his victory as he was finally upgraded to full WBA world champion.
The following year, Thurman would stamp his authority on the division with a split-decision victory over WBC title-holder Danny Garcia. Still, the Floridian’s greatest win came at a cost, requiring elbow surgery and being forced to vacate the WBC strap 11 months after becoming a unified 147lb champion.
A near two-year spell of inactivity was brought to an end when Thurman made his ring return in 2019, scoring a majority decision win over Josesito Lopez before being handed a first career defeat by the legendary Manny Pacquiao, losing his remaining WBA super-welterweight strap as a result.
Thurman would not fight again until 2022, dominating Mario Barrios in a one-sided unanimous decision win, but unfortunately, another spell on the sidelines followed, which was then further extended after withdrawing from a showdown with Tim Tszyu in March 2024 due to yet another injury.
Now, after 37 months away from the ring and just one fight since July 2019, Thurman is poised to re-announce himself as a title contender and has been announced for a clash with Australia’s Brock Jarvis, 22-1 (20 KOs), in an event promoted by No Limit Boxing.
The card will take place on Wednesday, March 12, at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, with Thurman supposedly targeting the re-visiting of his previously cancelled meeting with Tim Tsyzu later in the year.
Also appearing on the bill is former WBA middleweight title challenger Michael Zerafa, 31-5 (20 KOs), who is equally hopeful of fighting Tszyu down the line in an all-Aussie affair, but first face Germany’s Besir Ay, 19-1 (9 KOs).
