Trainer Bill Haney says former WBA & WBC welterweight champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman is a possibility for Devin Haney to fight at 147 if he successfully dethrones WBC 140-lb champion Regis Prograis on December 9th.
Thurman has been so inactive over the last six years that it might not be worth it for Haney to use him as an opponent because this isn’t 2016. Younger fans don’t know who Thurman is, and the older ones who remember him during his heyday have lost interest in him due to his disappearing after getting a couple of big paydays.
Bill says Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) wants to potentially get his feet wet against the 35-year-old Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) at 147, and they’re inviting him to the December 9th fight at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
If Thurman accepts, he’ll be at ringside, allowing him to enter the ring afterward to start an early promotion of the fight against Haney, provided he’s victorious against Prograis (29-1, 24 KOs).
Before Thurman settled into a sedentary lifestyle, he used to be one of the top welterweights on the planet. However, since 2017, One Time Thurman has rarely fought, fighting just three times in the last six years and not showing a lot of interest in staying active in fighting contenders. Thurman is an example of a fighter that talks a lot but never fights anyone.
The former welterweight champion Thurman made a lot of money in a fight against Manny Pacquiao in a twelve round decision loss, but has fought just once since then, beating Mario Barrios in February last year.
With the money that Thurman has made, he hasn’t been in a hurry to get back into action. He’s wanted title shots that he hasn’t earned against welterweight champions Terence Crawford and before him, Errol Spence. Interestingly, now that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is a world champion, Thurman has no interest in fighting him.
Thurman invited to Haney’s next fight
Fighting Thurman would be more about money for Haney rather than him taking on one of the relevant 147-pounders. Thurman is too old and inactive to be seen as one of the top guys at welterweight. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has trying to get a fight with Thurman recently with no luck.
“If he wins, he has the opportunity to knock on the door of the 147-lb division if Mr., what’s his name ain’t talking right and just sending them goons and goblins in December like it’s Halloween,” said Bill Haney to Fighthype about Devin Haney potentially moving up to 147 to face former WBA & WBC welterweight champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman if he’s successful against Regis Prograis on December 9th.
This sounds like the ideal situation for Thurman to get a nice payday without worrying about being knocked out. If Keith passes up this opportunity, it’s probably the end of the road for him because Crawford has already said he only wants the Spence rematch and Canelo Alvarez before retiring.
“Let’s save boxing one fight at a time. It was cooling off, and Devin decided he might put his pinkie toe in and see what it is against a hell of a competitor, a hell of a champion, a future Hall of Famer in Keith Thurman,” continued Bill Haney.
It’s interesting that Bill didn’t mention Boots Ennis as someone for Haney to fight at 147 rather than Thurman, as that would be a much bigger fight.
“Some people would say that’s a mountain too tall to climb. I reserve the right to invite Mr. Thurman out to watch on December 9th. With no disrespect to Mr. Thurman, who is a future Hall of Famer and wonderful talent,” said Bill.
