By Danny Esch: In an interview conducted by IFL.TV’s Kugan Cassius at the MGM Grand for Mayweather vs. Maidana 2 Interim Welterweight Champion Keith Thurman strongly voiced his opinions on being “avoided”, Amir Khan, IBF Welterweight Champion Kell Brook, and WBC/WBA Welterweight Champion Floyd Mayweather and his shoulder injury among other topics.
KC: You last fought in April before Floyd’s last fight against Maidana you have a shoulder injury is that why you have been out?
Thurman: Yeah we were looking forward to jumping on this card (Mayweather vs. Maidana 2) but there was just pain man and I’m a young dog and I expect to have many more years hopefully ten more years to give you guy’s entertainment.”
Thurman: “I’m really disappointed and it actually hurts me to be here knowing that I had the possibility to be on this card and I had to pull out man but it’s for the longevity of my career”.
KC: Kell Brook is out with an injury did you fancy a fight between you and Kell Brook?
Thurman: “Most definitely man I was surprised that he called me out, I give him (Brook) a lot of credit for that obviously he’s a “True Champion” and he wants’ to test himself and keep proving that he believes he’s truly special he wants to show the world how special he is so he thinks he can get past “One Time.” “I would LOVE to go over to the UK I LOVE the UK”.
KC: Now the Welterweight Division has two belts held by Mr. Mayweather one by Pacquiao and now one by Brook so where do you see yourself realistically fitting into this; do you want to put yourself into the “Mayweather Sweepstakes”?
Thurman : I don’t have to put myself in the “Mayweather Sweepstakes” I am in the “Mayweather Sweepstakes” you’re looking at the number 1 contender in the WBA you know so I’m his (Mayweather) “mandatory”.
Thurman : “I mean Maybe this “stuff” don’t mean nothing anymore maybe it’s just for show to have this number 1 position but I worked really hard to get it and I don’t think I really need to do much more to prove I deserve that title it doesn’t matter who’s holding on to the title I’ve worked very hard for this position and I deserve a shot at the WBA title.”
KC : “Do you feel you need a BIG win to secure your place to fight Mayweather”?
Thurman : “ A huge win would help it would help and it would influence BUT like I said I already have the “mandatory” position, the sanctioning bodies need to “mandate” the fight otherwise Floyd can go ahead and vacate the title and it won’t be the first time he’s vacated the title before”.
KC : “Is there a possibility that you are becoming an “avoided” fighter who struggles to get these kinds of fights because fighters don’t want to fight you”?
Thurman : “ It’s already happening what do you mean a possibility It’s already happening I’m already avoided and a lot of people say any sentence they can possibly say to avoid fighting me’”.
Thurman : “This is my favorite”- “Who has Keith Thurman fought” Ok that’s really nice (sarcastic) but let’s flip that around now “Who has fought Keith Thurman”? NOBODY! I’m willing to fight you but are you willing to fight me? LET’S GO.
Thurman : “ I’m not ready for Floyd ok who do you all want to see me fight Timothy(Tim Bradley) what up Timothy let’s go tell your manager promoter guy ARUM (Bob Arum) tell your Boss you want Keith Thurman”.
Thurman : Amir (Amir Khan) let’s go because that “other fight” is on hold now (Khan vs. Brook) I know you (Khan) like to sit on “the bench” you sat on “the bench” to get Mayweather and it didn’t work for you so let’s go Amir I’ll fight anyone in the welterweight division. I have a “motto” and I live by it “I have an O and I aint afraid to let it go” if you can beat me than BEAT ME!
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