Keith "One-Time" Thurman (26-0, 22 KO) is a rising welterweight who has had difficulty getting big name opponents to step inside the ring with him. Thurman's profile is rising these days though, thanks to linking up with powerful adviser Al Haymon and becoming one of Premier Boxing Champions' highest-profile fighters.
Thurman wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr., but "Money" hasn't shown any interest. Thurman had a recent chat with Boxing News Online about some other big name welterweights he might have in his sights. Thurman didn't hold his tongue on a few of these fighters.
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One prospective fight that has fans excited is Thurman vs. Marcos "El Chino" Maidana, but Thurman laughed that one off because of rumors about Maidana's tremendous weight gain. Maidana hasn't fought since taking on Mayweather twice in 2014, and Thurman can't see him coming back any time soon.
"The last update I got is heavyweight," Thurman said.
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Another name that was brought up was WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, who may be more difficult to snag because he fights on HBO. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and Haymon are not friends, and only massive paydays like Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao bring them together. Thurman doesn't think it would be all that competitive anyway, calling Bradley "easy work."
The fighters Thurman did seem interested in fighting were IBF champion Kell Brook (35-0, 24 KO), Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16 KO), Danny Garcia (31-0, 18 KO), and Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KO). Of those four, Porter seems to be the likeliest, coming off a huge win against Adrien Broner on PBC.
"The first thing I think is friend," Thurman said of Porter. "He's a great opponent, most definitely. He comes to fight hard every time. I respect him, and I look forward to having that fight."
He also showed great respect for Pacquiao's accomplishments inside the ring.
"He's had a great career. He's done a lot. He's made not only his dreams come true but a lot of other people's dreams come true, things they didn't even know could come true. But it's a great fight and I would love the opportunity to face him before he gets out of the ring."
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