Via Robert Segal: Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman Says He Would Take On Heavyweight Phenomenon Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis If He Was “greatest war” available.
Ennis isn’t the biggest battle for Thurman, so he won’t put himself in a position to incur another loss on his record if the money isn’t going well.
At this stage in Thurman’s career, you could argue that he is a hustler, with the way he tries to get a big fight he doesn’t deserve.
He’s only fought three times in the last six years since 2017, and he’s now been inactive for the past 17 months since his win over Mario Barrio in 2022.
The 34-year-old former WBA & WBC champion 147 lb Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) set his sights on the bigger bout, wanting to fight with Errol Spence Jr vs Terence Crawford fight the winner.
Whether Thurman has a chance to face either of those guys will depend on the PBC and the boxers. Spence has seemed reluctant to fight Thurman in the past, but he could be persuaded to defend his welterweight title against him if the money is right.
It’s unrealistic to see Thurman suddenly show interest in fighting Boots Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) because he’s not a big enough star yet for him to make the money he’s got in the game. match against Manny Pacquiao in 2019.
By the time Boots Ennis becomes a PPV star, Thurman will likely be too old and inactive to be a useful opponent. If Thurman continues the inactive habit that has affected his career, he will be a fading memory for older boxing fans who remember him.
Younger fans won’t know him, other than seeing him interview on Youtube, talking about fights that never happened.
Thurman spoke this week about fighting Yordenis Ugas next month in August, but it’s still unclear if that fight will take place.
“I’ve heard that there’s been some talk of Keith Thurman even fighting Boots Ennis. Brian Custer talked about that game. Youtube channel.
“They got rid of Virgil last year; Keith Thurman said. “It’s not specific, but in the near future, like I would say to Al Hayman. ‘If Vergil [Ortiz Jr] who I have to meet to feed my family on the next check, sign it.’
Vergil Ortiz Jr is no longer an option for Thurman because he’s coming up to 154, not because he’s someone he really wants to fight. Will Thurman fight Ortiz? No, because money won’t be what he’s looking for, and he’ll probably lose by knockout.
Thurman said: “If Boots Ennis is the person I have to meet to feed my family on the next check, sign it.
“Like I said, man. At the top, there are only a lot of moving pieces, and I worked hard to be in a position of power like many fighters have in the past. There is no shame in my game. How would I say it, you know? Thurman said.
The only strength Thurman has is with PBC. He is no longer a famous boxer and is in the Adrien Broner stage of a forgotten former champion who talks more than fights.
“There will be a time, a place. Like I told Spence the other day,” Thurman said. “I said, ‘If you’re telling the truth, you’ll be here for a minute because Keith Thurman isn’t going anywhere,’ and it’s true.
“That’s how I’ve always felt about the welder weight class. I will always fight the best. I always want the biggest fights possible. So if in the near future the biggest fight is Boots Ennis, that’s going to happen,” Thurman said.
Two of Thurman’s last three games since 2017 were against Josesito Lopez and Mario Barrios. It wasn’t the best, and they weren’t the best fighters he had at the time, but he still fought them.
