While other boxers are awaiting word on when they can resume their careers, Keith Thurman made sure long to get his house in order.
“I made my phone calls already, baby,” Thurman (29-1, 22KOs) exclaimed to BoxingScene.com. “I don’t wait for nobody. I don’t know what them boys be doing, but I know how to do business at home during a crisis. I’m still trading stocks.
“I don’t know what other people are doing and I don’t care. There’s still business to be had out here.”
The former welterweight titlist has managed to keep busy in a variety of ways while the sport as a whole—and much of the business world in general—has slowed to a crawl during the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Included in his everyday routine, has been keeping his weight down and remaining ready for whenever he is assigned a fight date. The 31-year old Clearwater, Florida native has been out of the ring since a competitive-but-clear points loss to legendary Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39KOs) last July in Las Vegas.
Following the lone loss of his career came the decision to undergo surgery for a previously injured left hand. The procedure and subsequent recovery put him on the self for the balance of a 2019 campaign which began as a comeback year following a 22-month ring absence.
Thurman is already resigned to the fact that he could be facing another stretch from 16-18 months between fights giving the current global health crisis. Mentally, it’s a letdown from his plans at the beginning of the year to fight at least twice in 2020 and thus avoiding additional career gaps.
Ever the realist, the top-rated welterweight knows that plan will have to wait another year. For now, it’s just about getting back in the ring at some point this year—a point he’s already expressed to adviser Al Haymon and the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) brass.
“My motto is simple. Once the corona hit and due to my circumstances, I knew that all I need is one fight this year,” insists Thurman, who previously held at least one welterweight title for six years prior to his loss to Pacquiao. “I don’t need to be the first in line. Just let your boy eat this year. Let me entertain this year, hopefully put a good fight together. Keep it moving just like that.
“I look forward to opening negotiations to make a respectable fight happen. Whether it’s October, November, December, just anything on this calendar year. I will be a little disappointed if I have to roll over into January. I look forward to stepping into the ring against a respectable opponent and putting on a good performance.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
