Bracing for a golden opportunity to become a world champion again in less than two weeks, KeithThurman has been forced to skid on the brakes and recalibrate his preparation for a 154lbs title shot at injured Sebastian Fundora.
The new fight date is likely late January.
The challenges of that adjustment were the topic of discussion on Tuesday’s episode of ProBoxTV’s “BoxingScene Today,” with analysts Paulie Malignaggi and Robert Garcia.
Plagued by his own injuries – including hand surgery and a torn bicep that cleared the way for Fundora to claim the WBO and WBC belts from Tim Tszyu in 2024 – Thurman has fought only twice since losing his welterweight belt to Manny Pacquiao in 2019.
In a Sunday video conversation with BoxingScene, Thurman elaborated on this test of patience.
“You can get impatient as you get older,” former welterweight champion Malignaggi said. “If he is going to give it one last run, he needs that urgency. Thurman, though frustrated, is focused.”
Returning trainer of the year Garcia advised methods to ease but maintain training given Thurman’s unique situation. Thurman spoke with welts under both eyes due to recent sparring, which he said he’ll throttle back from until he gets the all-clear signal of a new fight date.
“At his age, he has to stay in shape and stay active,” Garcia said, adding that light sparring against known peers is wise to maintain the sharpness required to upset the improving 6ft 6.5ins Fundora.
Host Jimmy Smith noted the high stakes of the bout, considering that Fundora, 22-year-old Xander Zayas, Germany’s Abass Baraou and Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev are the champions in the sport’s richest division.
“[Thurman] may be the biggest name,” Smith said.
“Yeah, the thing about being a known veteran is that you may be the biggest name, but age may be catching up to you,” Malignaggi said. “Keith will be 37 next month. It’s not easy at that age … more people may be fighting to use your name as a resume filler. He is playing that role; Fundora wants that.
“And at this age, inactivity is more unforgiving than ever.”
Considering Thurman’s experience and Fundora’s vulnerability seen in a 2023 knockout loss to Brian Mendoza, Garcia was asked if Thurman eyed the champion because he’s the most suspect 154lbs champion.
“There’s an opportunity. Is it the best shot? I don’t know. Fundora is unbelievably tough, and it’s hard to find sparring partners for him,” Garcia said. “One could question if he took that fight for money.I know he was in talks with [the Garcia-trained unbeaten] Vergil [Ortiz Jnr]. Did he take [Fundora] because it’s more money?”
When Malignaggi noted that Fundora wears the WBC belt, Garcia said, “Maybe that’s more meaningful.”
Smith reminded how a delay diminished older Sonny Liston in his rematch against Muhammad Ali decades ago.
“It can be more challenging, but it’s up to the individual,” Malignaggi said. “Keith sounded like he’s looking forward to the new date. I sure hope he doesn’t show up like Liston.”
