By Allan Fox: WBA World welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs) says he thinks unbeaten #2 IBF Errol Spence’s IBF 147lb eliminator bout against #7 IBF Leonard Bundu (33-1-2, 12 KOs) on August 21 will be a good gauge to see where the 26-year-old Spence is in terms of his talent.
Thurman says he’s looking forward to facing Spence in the future at some point when he moves up to where he’s at right now with his development. Thurman says Spence is a little bit behind him in his progress as a pro. One of the reasons for that is Thurman is a nine-year pro and Spence just a four-year pro.
Spence had a longer amateur career than Thurman. Thurman had fought a number of decent level fighters by the time he was Spence’s age such as Julio Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Luis Collazo, Diego Chaves and Jesus Soto Karass. Spence recently fought his most recognizable name in Chris Algieri last April in stopping him in the 5th round.
“It’s interesting, he has his title eliminator against Bundu. That’s going to be a brilliant gauging point on Errol Spence and his skills. I expect him to try and come out in terrific fashion to try and make a big statement to show off his skills and his talent to the world. Styles make fights. The whole world of boxing expects big things from him. I was the prospect of the year. Errol Spence was the prospect of the year. I see him as a few steps behind. I expect him to catch up very soon, and I look forward to the challenge when the challenge presents itself,” said Thurman.
Thurman didn’t look all that great in defeating Bundu by a 12 round unanimous decision two years ago in 2014. Thurman won every round, but he struggled with the inside pressure that Bundu was putting on him, and he didn’t look at all comfortable against him. That’s perhaps one of the reasons why Thurman was on his bike the entire fight rather than standing and trading with him.
If Spence can demolish the 41-year-old Bundu by slugging rather than running from him the way Thurman did, it would be an impressive performance to say the least.
If Spence beats Bundu, he’ll be the mandatory challenge to IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook. That’s where the real test will take place. If Spence can beat Brook and look good, then he’ll be the new IBF champion. A unification fight between him and Thurman would then be a possibility. If Spence loses to Brook, then it would put him back to square one. It wouldn’t be the end for Spence. He would just need to rebuild his career and work his way up to a title shot against Thurman.
As Thurman said, ‘Styles make fights.,’ It’s possible that Spence’s skills would match up better against a fighter like Thurman more than Brook. That’s not to say that Spence doesn’t have a very good chance of beating Brook, because he definitely does. But if Spence does lose to Brook, then he can still go after Thurman. At this point it’s unknown if Brook will even face Spence, because his promoter Eddie Hearn is talking about him vacating the IBF title in the near future to move up to 154.