By Dan Ambrose: Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman says he believes that he’s the backup option to face Errol Spence Jr or Terence Crawford if the two are unable to reach an agreement for a massive fight.
Thurman notes that his management hasn’t gotten anything for him since his win over Mario Barrios last February, and he suspects that they’re saving him if they can’t put together a deal between Spence & Crawford.
Thurman could be right because Spence or Crawford will need a big if they’re unable to put a big fight together.
“He said after my fight, after my performance earlier this year [against Mario Barrios]; They asked him, and he said real short, quick & sweet, ‘Keith Thurman is always a legitimate opponent,'” said Keith Thurman to Fight Hub TV about Errol Spence Jr being open to the idea of fighting him.
“That’s all he had to say. He’s done with that rah-rah whatever. He knows if the contract shows up and the money is good, and the fight is right, we can make it happen any Saturday night,” Thurman continued about a fight between him and Spence being possible.
“Come on; they’re [Spence & Terence Crawford] having problems right now. I don’t have a fight right now. Come on; you don’t think I’m the fall guy? Because I think I’m the fall guy.
“I’m saying, where’s my contract? They keep waiting, and I’m still waiting. Why? I don’t know. Do you? I think I’m the fall guy. It’s not the worst fight in the world,” said Thurman about him facing Spence instead of Crawford.
“I don’t like being the bench boy. I don’t like being the fall guy, but I’ve been waiting, they’ve been waiting, people have been waiting, everybody is waiting. Why am I waiting, though? Give me a little [hint]. I just want to know.
“I love great fights, and you’ve seen what I’ve waited for. I’ve waited; I’m patient. I’ll just wait for the right contract to fall into my lap. I love this game. I want to be more active. I’m only getting older. I’m 33, and I’ll be 34 this November.
“I do think I’ve got plenty of great years left ahead of me, and I would like to participate in that as an active fighter. Whatever that means. Let’s see.
“This [Crawford vs. Spence] is a great fight. We want to see these world champions fight. We want to see a unified welterweight champion. It would be historical. Floyd Mayweather never did it in his 50-0 unblemished record. The man’s never done it.
“Whoever does it, we’re going to have to tip our hats to them, and we’re going to have to admire them and respect them and put them on a pedestal. I will, too, even though I’m still going to want to punch them in the face. I’m still going to want my match-up.
“I’ll take the winner; I’ll take the loser, I’ll take a great fight. That’s what Keith Thurman is about,” said Thurman.
