Keith "One-Time" Thurman, a rising welterweight fighter, recently railed against the perception that his quality of competition is too weak to warrant a major title fight by claiming big names won't fight him.
Kell Brook, after defeating Shawn Porter last Saturday for the IBF welterweight belt, may be the next name fighter to dismiss Thurman on account of his low profile.
"You're talking about boxing fans and no one has ever heard of Keith Thurman except hardcore boxing fans," Eddie Hearn, Brook's promoter said. "(Thurman) great fighter, really wacked, great fight for Kell Brook, but from a profile perspective (money) there's others out there that mean more to casual fans. Thurman yes he's in the mix it's a very tough fight and difficult fight not sure if it will be Brooks's first defense fight."
The 25-year-old Thurman is 23-0-0 with 21 knockouts on his resume, with his premier victories coming over Diego Chaves, who recently dropped a questionable disqualification vs. Brandon Rios in which he was ahead on two scorecards, and Jesus Soto Karass.
Earlier this week Thurman had commented on Porter, who lost to Brook, and Robert Guerrero specifically for avoiding him.
"For those who believe that I haven't done anything to truly deserve it, I can understand where you (fans) are coming from but it's not truly my fault their (promoters) not putting me in the ring with top 10 fighters I deserve better fights than this," Thurman said.
"How Many times did I ask to fight Robert Guerrero who was in the top 10? Earlier this year we asked to fight Shawn Porter and his dad said "not necessary we can do that later for bigger money". Marcos Maidana was supposed to be my HBO debut but he (Maidana) pulled out three weeks ahead of time."
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