Keith Thurman and Boxing’s Greatest Comebacks

On Saturday, March 28, Keith “One Time” Thurman returns to the center of the boxing world. Once a unified world champion and one of the best fighters in the world, Thurman has a chance to reclaim his throne against WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Fundora at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The 154-pound showdown headlines a PBC PPV on Prime Video (8 pm ET/5 pm PT).

Thurman was one of the faces in boxing before losing a close decision to Manny Pacquiao in their epic 2019 battle. “One Time” has fought only twice since, both times impressing. In February 2022, he easily outpointed future welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Then last March, he ended a three-year layoff with a third-round TKO over Brock Jarvis, flashing the speed, skill and power that made him one of the world’s best. The win set him up for this upcoming title shot against Fundora, an opportunity to reclaim greatness. As Thurman prepares for what promises to be a barnburner, we look back at five icons who defied the odds to stage the greatest comebacks in boxing history.

Muhammad Ali

After a three-and-a-half-year exile from boxing. One that robbed him of his physical prime, Muhammad Ali returned to a landscape that had moved on without him. Many doubted if the “Greatest” still had his legendary speed, but his 1970 return against Jerry Quarry proved the maestro was still in rhythm. It was the first step in a journey that would eventually lead to the “Rumble in the Jungle,” perhaps Ali’s greatest triumph.

Like Ali, Thurman is a former unified king entering a new era with new faces.  Both men share the burden of proving that an elite ring IQ doesn’t age, even when the clock is ticking.

George Foreman

Ten years into a comeback that most experts treated as a curiosity, a 45-year-old George Foreman stepped into the ring against the undefeated Michael Moorer. Trailing on all cards, “Big George” landed a singular, thunderous right hand in the 10th round that shook the world. He became the oldest heavyweight champion in history, proving that power is the last thing to leave a great fighter.

As he showed against Jarvis, Thurman’s power remains his greatest equalizer. Like Foreman, he knows that no matter how much time has passed, one perfectly timed shot can answer all the questions and rewrite a legacy in a single second.

“Sugar” Ray Leonard

The legendary Leonard had fought only once in five years due to a detached retina and various retirements. He chose to return against the most feared middleweight on the planet, Marvelous Marvin Hagler. The world thought he was delusional. Leonard put on a cerebral masterclass, outpointing the champion over 12 rounds in a performance defined by psychological warfare and physical conditioning.

This is the tactical blueprint for Thurman vs. Fundora. Like Leonard, Thurman is the smaller, more refined stylist moving up in weight to challenge a physically imposing, younger champion. He will need a “Leonard-esque” mental game to navigate Fundora’s 6-foot-6 frame.

Evander Holyfield

Written off as washed up following a second loss to Riddick Bowe and a brief retirement, Holyfield entered his 1996 clash with Mike Tyson as a massive underdog. “The Real Deal” showed the world the power of a champion’s will, bullying the bully to capture the WBA heavyweight title. It wasn’t just a win; it was a total reclamation of his status as an elite warrior.

People often forget the heart of a champion. Holyfield was discounted by the betting public, much like some are discounting Thurman today. But just like the song he typically enters the ring with, “One Time” ain’t never scared and fans shouldn’t expect him to fold against Fundora.

Manny Pacquiao

Following a controversial loss in 2017, many believed the 39-year-old Pacquiao was finally done. He hadn’t scored a knockout in nearly a decade and was facing a dangerous power-puncher in Lucas Matthysse. Pacquiao looked ten years younger that night, dominating the bout and sparking a late-career resurgence that saw him defeat Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman himself just a year later.

Thurman saw firsthand what a second act looks like when he shared the ring with Pacquiao. Now, he looks to mirror that trajectory and prove he is still a world-class operator capable of turning back the clock.

For a closer look at Fundora vs Thurman, check out our fight night page.