Does Keith Thurman Still Have What It Takes?

By: Sean Crose

It was simply over ten years in the past when Keith Thurman, then in his mid twenties, turned out the lights on Jesus Soto Karass with a thunderous three punch mixture. That was on the Alamodome in San Antonio, on the undercard of the Adrien Broner-Marcos Maidana card. Florida’s Thurman regarded so damaging that night time, so highly effective and efficient, that it was as much as the creativeness to marvel how far the person would possibly effectively fly throughout the course of his profession. Now, over a decade later it’s secure to say Thurman has achieved quite a bit for himself.

There have been victories over the likes of Robert Guerrero, Danny Garcia, and Shawn Porter, in spite of everything. There have additionally been world title wins. Doubtless, Thurman, now 35, has been nothing if not a hit story. But it’s laborious to not really feel a way of disappointment when the fighter often called “One Time” involves thoughts. Nobody can maintain the truth that Thurman misplaced an in depth battle to the good Manny Pacquiao towards him, after all. The person’s general lack of exercise within the ring, nevertheless, is one other matter.

Thurman will probably be dealing with Australia’s Tim Tszyu on March thirtieth. Will probably be his first battle in over two years. What’s extra, it’s going to solely mark Thurman’s fifth battle since he defeated Danny Garcia by resolution in 2017. That’s simply 5 fights in seven years. Thurman has had causes for his time away, after all, no less than a few of it. Nobody can blame the person for accidents and/or accidents. The place’s he been, although? Accidents and accidents alone don’t add as much as the time the person has spent outdoors the ring.

Not that any of it’s going to matter when he slips contained in the ropes on the T-Cellular Area to tackle Tszyu later subsequent month. Or will it? Tszyu is undefeated. He’s additionally about half a decade youthful than Thurman. In different phrases, the younger man presents an actual menace. Ought to Thurman win that night time, although, ought to he resemble that forceful Thurman of previous, then he’ll rapidly discover himself being a possible opponent for the likes of Terence Crawford, Errol Spence, Jaron Ennis and different high names. Briefly, he’ll be again within the figurative recreation.

Ought to Thurman style defeat on the gloved arms of Tszyu, nevertheless, he’ll doubtless be seen by many as a person whose time has handed. And who will doubtless have nobody accountable however himself for the ring rust. The query is a straightforward however pointed one: Does Keith Thurman nonetheless have what it takes?