Keith Thurman is ready to conquer a new division by moving up to 154 against Tim Tsyu in their non-title 12-round fight on March 30th on Amazon Prime PPV.
Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) has studied Tszyu’s style and ability, viewing him as beatable in their headliner at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. ‘One Time’ wants to show that his formidable punching has carried up to 154.
The former WBA & WBC welterweight champion Thurman can’t wait to show the fans and the media what he already knows about what he will do to Tszyu.
Thurman, 35, is the underdog in this fight, but only because he’s been inactive for the last two years. If not for that, he’d likely be the favorite against the slow-footed, slow-handed Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs).
Punching His Ticket to the Top
“It’s going to be another opportunity. I can punch my way into this division with or without the belt. Keith Thurman is one of the most exciting and talented fighters in boxing from the welterweight division, now moving up,” said Thurman to MillCity Boxing.
“I’ve been a problem for everybody I’ve been in the ring. I don’t see how it’s going to stop on March 30th. I’ve been a problem for everybody. These hands, they will see your face.”
If Thurman wins this fight against the 29-year-old Tszyu, he wants to go after Terence Crawford or Errol Spence Jr. Those are two fights that will pay well for Keith, who has wanted to fight them for years, but was never give en the opportunity.
Keith can use a victory over Tszyu to get one of those two fighters to face him, especially Crawford, who got the bad news today that Canelo Alvarez won’t be fighting him.
Embracing the Underdog Role
“It sounds like a lot of fun. I’m the underdog; they’re doubting me. They don’t have faith in your man. So, they want to know. They’re trying me. They want me to prove it, and that’s why we signed the contract. It’s step up and play ball. Leonard Ellerbe already said his piece. ‘Keith Thurman is a live dog,'” said Thurman.
“I’ll be coming into the fight at 169 lbs. So, I’ll be quite big on fight night, and he’ll feel it. This isn’t 147. It’s a whole different division, and there’s a reason why it goes from eight-ounce gloves to ten-ounce gloves. We’re much bigger,” said Tim Tszyu to Fighthype.
