Keith Thurman: record, next fight and profile →
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Keith “One Time” Thurman has declared his intention to return to the top of the boxing world as he steps back into the ring on Saturday, February 5 for the first time since his 2019 performance against Manny Pacquiao.
Keith Thurman and Mario Barrios will have more work ahead regardless of who prevails in their upcoming clash. BoxingScene.com has confirmed that the upcoming February 5 showdown between former titlists will not serve as a final title eliminator. The bout will come with WBC sanctioning, though not the guarantee that the winner will have a clear shot at unified WBC/IBF welterweight titlist Errol Spence (27-0, 21KOs).
The winner of the Keith Thurman-Mario Barrios welterweight bout could be rewarded with an immediate title shot, according to former titlist Thurman.
BoxingScene.com has learned that it’ll cost consumers $74.95 to purchase PBC’s FOX Sports Pay-Per-View show February 5. Former WBA/WBC welterweight champion Keith Thurman and ex-WBA super lightweight champ Mario Barrios are scheduled to square off in the 12-round main event of that show at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
Mario Barrios fit all the criteria that Keith Thurman wanted in an opponent for his ring return. The former welterweight titleholder from Clearwater, Florida will look to break a more than two-and-a-half sabbatical from boxing, when he makes his return against San Antonio's Barrios on Feb. 5 at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. Thurman, 33, has not fought since dropping a close decision to Manny Pacquiao in 2019.
Keith Thurman has been stuck on the sidelines ever since suffering his first career loss to the since-retired Manny Pacquaio in July 2019. On Feb. 5, the former welterweight champion Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) will look to repair his career when he takes on Mario Barrios in a FOX Sports pay per view headlining bout in Las Vegas.
Keith Thurman has a passionate pitch for those criticizing the fact that his next bout will be staged on pay-per-view. The former welterweight titleholder will break a two-and-a-half year sabbatical from the ring when he faces Mario Barrios on Fox Pay-Per-View on Feb. 5 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Mario Barrios obviously could’ve chosen an easier transition into the welterweight division than Keith Thurman. Coming off an 11th-round, technical-knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in his final fight at the 140-pound limit, Barrios would’ve been well within reason to face a lesser opponent
The last time Keith Thurman ended a long layoff, he got buzzed by a huge underdog and settled for a majority-decision win in a 12-round fight that was more difficult than expected.
Keith Thurman isn’t fazed by the critics who think his drive isn’t what it used to be. Over the past few years the former welterweight titleholder from Clearwater, Florida has battled the perception that he is not as devoted to boxing as people have come to expect from a world class fighter.