By Edward Chaykovsky
WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs) views himself as the top fighter at 147-pounds - above the other champions in his division like WBC champion Danny Garcia, WBO champion Jessie Vargas and IBF champion Kell Brook.
Thurman has been out of the ring since winning his very exciting title defense against Shawn Porter on June 25th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. He is likely going to be out of the ring until next year, as he struggles to secure an opponent.
“The only way to get real respect in the division is you have to [mess] with me,” Thurman said to Premier Boxing Champions. “I’m the No. 1 welterweight champion, [even though] there are four of us who can say that. I want that opportunity to eliminate the others.”
Thurman has a mandatory defense due to David Avanesyan, who won a twelve round decision over Shane Mosley in a final eliminator to secure the title shot.
The fighter known as 'One Time' has no idea what his next fight will be, but he would rather take on an opponent with a little more profile than Avanesyan.
"I don’t know if I’m going to do a [mandatory defense]. I’d rather make something more meaningful happen. But I enjoy looking down realizing that after a power struggle, I’ve attained the top spot," Thurman said.
"I have time to step into the ring this year and I’m open to that, but I’m also willing to sit back and reflect on the fact that I’ve worked 20 years of my life to get where I am. If we sit out the rest of this year, we’ll walk into the ring early next year at 28 years old as the undefeated welterweight champion of the world in our prime."
Regarding his position, Thurman explains why he believes that he's a cut above the other top welterweight in his division.
"I made [Julio] Diaz, [Luis] Collazo and [Diego] Chaves quit. Who else did that to all three of those Latin fighters? I also beat [Robert] Guerrero and Shawn Porter. I believe your boy “One Time” is the most exciting of all the welterweights. But my legacy has room for growth, and the easiest road for improving my legacy is through a legend," Thurman said.