Keith "One-Time" Thurman heard rare boos in his last outing, a 12-round unanimous decision victory against previously undefeated welterweight Leonard Bundu.
Thurman knocked Bundu down in the first round, and from that point on the 40-year-old fought from a distance and refused to engage. Instead of opening himself up to taking shots, Thurman resorted to his boxing skills, which many fans might have been unaware of, and out-boxed him. While knockout-hungry fans weren't enthused by his technical prowess, Showtime announcer and ex-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi was impressed.
After recently saying he felt Amir Khan was good enough to beat either Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao right now, Malignaggi gave even greater praise to Thurman.
"I think Keith might be the best welterweight in the world right now," Malignaggi said. "I would pick Thurman to beat both of those guys. I think Keith Thurman has become a complete fighter.
"He has power, technical ability, and mental maturity as well. Thurman is one of the most versatile fighters in the division and I think everyone at 147 would have their hands full with Thurman at this time, including Pacquiao and Mayweather."
Despite the rise of several welterweights, Mayweather and Pacquiao remain the buzz of the division, and are holding things up while they dance around a potential super fight.
While the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight fascinates the casual fan, Malignaggi believes Khan's greatest challenges are Thurman and fellow British fighter Kell Brook. "I think Amir's toughest fights right now are Thurman and Brook...not Mayweather or Pacquiao."
Khan's reputation is dinged because of past knockout losses, but he has changed his style. He takes less risk, utilizes clinches more, and has won his past three fights, two of which were at 147 pounds.
"Amir beats both Mayweather and Pacquiao right now," Malignaggi said. "Khan controls range better, and has the hand speed and footwork to give both fighters serious issues in the ring. It all about the style match-up. Any fighter who attempts to fight Amir Khan from mid to long range and tries to outbox him will lose."
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