Keith “no smoke” Thurman says...

[powerpuncher]

When is Thurman supposed to be cleared to fight? It seems like it has been a long time since his surgery

[Alpha]

Thurman should be trying to target a Spence fight for year end.

[mikeeod]

Thurman is getting a lot of undue hate here. Thurman has fought and beat the best. As many of you have said he is no Sugar Ray which makes his victories even more impressive. These victories were hard won and no easy feat.

You all want him to take on Spence, Crawford and others in 2018 after injury?

Give the man a chance.

I don't think the issue is that Keith isn't fighting those guys in his first, or even second fight back from injury. To me the issue is that he always talks about those guys needing to prove themselves as worthy/ready to fight him. If Keith was to say he would fight Spence in December 2018 after taking a couple of warm up fights, many would stop the "hate"/complaining.

In my opinion Keith is creating the perception that he is avoiding top competition by consistently talking about which top fighters need to fight other fighters and never staring who he wants his next big fight to be against. As for Keith fighting the best, I have to disagree with you there. Porter was a good, but razor thin, win. Danny Garcia was undefeated and a fellow Titlist, but he was lucky to be both and about as flawed as you could hope for. I feel that the Brook that Spence beat was better than either of those two, and Crawford beat much better competition, just at lighter weights.

[Spicoli]

Talks of Jessie Vargas in March. Not a total travesty but I'll bet a Christmas ham that he doesn't meet Spence jr in 2018 or soon there after.

[Primo Carnera]

The thing is, he'll only harm himself. If he doesn't fight Spence till 2018 or later, or even look to fight him, he'll miss the boat. Spence will fight Crawford by then and everybody will see that as the fight to see who's no.1 in the division. All Thurman would be seen as is a belt holder rather than a Champion.
Consequently he won't make the big dough, and then he'll start moaning.

[Spicoli]

The thing is, he'll only harm himself. If he doesn't fight Spence till 2018 or later, or even look to fight him, he'll miss the boat. Spence will fight Crawford by then and everybody will see that as the fight to see who's no.1 in the division. All Thurman would be seen as is a belt holder rather than a Champion.
Consequently he won't make the big dough, and then he'll start moaning.

Totally agree, he is running the risk of letting it pass him by. Injury or not why go out and literally dismiss and excuse away fights that will come to define the division? Talk up a Porter rematch? Maybe he's setting the bar low with something in mind but doesn't feel that way. Haymon pulls in Vargas as he does with many fighters he signs strictly to use as 'opponents', and will keep Thurman churning it out 'in house' as Crawford and Spence jr are already at the top of many must-see future scraps.

[powerpuncher]

I think the same thing. Thurman will simply lose his spot and will eventually have no leverage. There would be absolutely no excuse for not fighting Spence (or Crawford since he is moving up) his next fight after Vargas but I would be shocked if he does.

[Alpha]

Anyone know the status of his belts/ mandatories? Vargas would be a voluntary, Porter is #1 at WBA, Matthysse vs Kiram could be for a mandatory position. Then you have the Danny G rematch. I can see Thurman finding ways to avoid Spence and Crawford.

[TitoFan]

Well... these are his own words (quoted). I'd say everyone read them and judge for yourselves.


https://www.badlefthook.com/2017/12/...-become-bigger



I'll say one thing for sure............... I'm really starting to hate the word "marinate."

[powerpuncher]

Well... these are his own words (quoted). I'd say everyone read them and judge for yourselves.


https://www.badlefthook.com/2017/12/...-become-bigger



I'll say one thing for sure............... I'm really starting to hate the word "marinate."

Basically he said that he was ducking Spence in a lot of words. I understand saying he needs a tune up fight, but he acts like he needs like 4 tune ups.

[Master]

Thurman is just being too honest.

Thurman is basically saying he wants to fight Spence but needs to fulfill his mandatory obligations to keep his title and have a tune up fight after injury.

[powerpuncher]

Thurman is just being too honest.

Thurman is basically saying he wants to fight Spence but needs to fulfill his mandatory obligations to keep his title and have a tune up fight after injury.

That’s called ducking. People are asked to step aside all the time for a bigger fight. If Thurman wanted the fight he could easily make it happen without losing his belt.

[Master]

Thurman is just being too honest.

Thurman is basically saying he wants to fight Spence but needs to fulfill his mandatory obligations to keep his title and have a tune up fight after injury.

That’s called ducking. People are asked to step aside all the time for a bigger fight. If Thurman wanted the fight he could easily make it happen without losing his belt.

Still coming back from injury look what happened to Degale.

[Alpha]

I understand wanting a tune up & will grant Thurman the Porter rematch if it's ordered. That should still leav room for a third fight at years end. That should be Spence.

[powerpuncher]

Thurman is just being too honest.

Thurman is basically saying he wants to fight Spence but needs to fulfill his mandatory obligations to keep his title and have a tune up fight after injury.

That’s called ducking. People are asked to step aside all the time for a bigger fight. If Thurman wanted the fight he could easily make it happen without losing his belt.

Still coming back from injury look what happened to Degale.

I said before that I don’t mind the tune up fight but I mind if he waits until 2019 to fight him