By Carlos Boogs
Following Saturday's big decision win over Shawn Porter at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, WBA welterweight champion Keith 'One Time' Thurman (27-0, 22KOs) stayed true to his promise of targeting a unification with WBC champion Danny Garcia (32-0, 18KOs).
Garcia has been linked to a title defense against former beltholder Andre Berto, but there has been no confirmation for that bout. He's been out of the ring since winning the vacant WBC title in January with a twelve round decision win over Robert Guerrero. The belt became vacant after champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired last September.
Thruman wants to return in the fall, but also has a mandatory obligation to David Avanesyan hanging over his head.
Avanesyan, who holds the WBA's interim belt at 147-pounds, defeated Shane Mosley in a final eliminator back in May.
Thurman wants another father/son combo to knock off. He defeated Robert Guerrero, who is trained by father Ruben Guerrero. He beat Porter, who is trained by father Kenny Porter. And now he wants to eliminate Garcia, who is trained by father Angel Garcia.
"In my heart, I want an opportunity to face Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia," Thurman said. “Let me put it this way. Guerrero — father/son combination — got rid of ‘em. Porter, father/son combination. Got rid of ‘em. OK?” Thurman said. “If you’re a daddy’s boy, come see me, boy. Come on, man. I got this.”
Garcia replied back, sending a sneaky message that he's not scared of 'One Time' Thurman.
"Unified at 140. I'll do it again at 147. I ain't no 'one time' champ," Garcia stated.