Zab Judah says Keith Thurman’s only chance of defeating Tim Tszyu on March 30th is if he starts fast and applies pressure on him.
Apart from that, Judah expects Tszyu (24-0, 19 KOs) to use his power, youth, and size to wear the 35-year-old Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) down to stop him by the eighth round.
The former WBA & WBC welterweight champion Thurman hasn’t fought in two years, and he’s taking this twelve round non-title fight against without the benefit of a tune-up. That’s not good for Thurman because he’s only fought once in the last five years.
Tszyu vs. Thurman will be fighting a 155-lb catchweight on Amazon Prime Video PPV in Las Vegas on March 30th.
Thurman Must Start Fast
“Anybody that stands in front of Tszyu is getting knocked out. Anyone that wants to have any success against Tim Tszyu, you’ve got to be a good clean boxer with power, and be able to come in there and walk him down,” said Zab Judah to MillCity Boxing.
“No, he’s too small for 154,” said Ivan Redkach when asked if he gives Thurman a chance against Tszyu. “Keith Thurman is an excellent champion at 147. It’s a problem for a fighter to jump weights.”
If Thurman had fought one or two tune-ups against guys like Xander Zayas or Erickson Lubin, he’d have a better chance. However, he’s being offered good money by PBC, and he wasn’t about to pass up this opportunity.
“If he comes in and starts fast, anything can happen,” said Judah about Thurman. “If he lets Tim take him into the later rounds and start getting comfortable and letting his combinations and big shots, it might not be a nice night for him.
“In the first three rounds, it’s 50-50. Yeah, he’s [Tszyu] younger and fresh. You’ll start to see the change [after three rounds]. If Keith don’t start fast and get to the body, we know the outcome,” said Judah about Thurman needing to start fast or else he’s going to get beaten by Tszyu.
Starting fast still doesn’t guarantee that Thurman gets worn down by Tszyu’s heavy shots.
“Okay, fight fans. Let’s go. It’s your boy, Keith Thurman vs. Tim Tszyu. Coming to you in Las Vegas, March 30th, live on Amazon Prime PPV,” said Keith Thurman on social media, starting to promote his fight.
“Who is going to beat who? Thurman vs. boom.”
