Keith Thurman Makes Triumphant Return To Boxing In Sydney (Video)

During the in-ring post-fight interview, Ben Damon asked Thurman about his inactivity leading up to this fight with Jarvis. “That’s what I’ve been telling everybody. I’ve had a lot of fights, a lot of contracts, and a lot of camps that just kept falling out for whatever reason, pushbacks, politics. But my love for the sport is still here, and that’s why I did what I did here today baby, to prove to the world that Keith “One-Time” Thurman is back in action. Anybody can get it; let’s go,” said Thurman.

Thurman Made Quick Work of Jarvis

Anyone who has been out of the ring for a while will tell you that the opening round is the most important as you are there to try and catch your rhythm while avoiding your opponent’s attempt to place pressure on you right away. Thurman did just that as he used plenty of foot feints and smart spacing to keep Jarvis from jumping on him early in the opening round.

This was Jarvis’ first fight against someone at Thurman’s level, so he had the deer in the headlights look early on. The first significant punch that landed for Thurman in the first round was a straight right hand that instantly buzzed Jarvis. Although Thurman sensed he was buzzed, the former world champion knew it was too early to jump on Jarvis and potentially make a mistake, so he kept his distance and worked behind the left jab.

Towards the last minute of the first round, Jarvis landed a left hook that buzzed Thurman, and Jarvis tried to capitalize off of it with a flurry of punches after, but Thurman was able to weather the storm and make it to the sound of the bell.

In the second round, Thurman dedicated his attack to the body of Jarvis, which was paying instant dividends. Jarvis kept his elbows in tight and that allowed Thurman to work his offense upstairs. This was the point of the fight where you saw glimpses of the old Thurman as he was relaxed and landing some hard straight right hands when he wanted to while continuing to make deposits to the body of Jarvis.

When the third round began, Thurman was in full “One-time” mode, and after feinting with a short right hook, he threw two straight right hands, which hurt Jarvis. Seeing an opportunity and sensing he had Jarvis hurt, Thurman threw another right hand that missed but followed it with a crushing left uppercut that dropped Jarvis instantly for the fight’s first knockdown. Jarvis would get up, but he was badly hurt. Thurman knew he had him and threw some more straight right hands. He then ripped a left hook square on Jarvis’s chin, which dropped him again, forcing the referee to stop the fight and award Thurman the knockout victory.

What’s Next For Keith Thurman?

What was previously announced and mentioned again on the broadcast was that Tim Tszyu would face Joey Spencer in April and that Thurman could fight Tszyu in July if he should defeat Spencer. No Limit Boxing’s promotion all week was alluding to that matchup as if they have a verbal agreement, but Thurman was quick to keep his options open and mentioned during the in-ring post-fight interview that they just need to send the contract and he’ll sign it. That could be Thurman keeping his cards close to the chest, or now that he has the KO victory, he could be negotiating for a higher rate. We will likely get Thurman-Tszyu in the summer, but first, let’s make sure Tszyu can get past Spencer.

If Al Haymon were to use this Thurman KO to make a fight here domestically, then the past its expiration date matchup against Errol Spence Jr. could be an option, or as boxing manager Rick Mirigian suggested on social media, a fight against his client Vergil Ortiz Jr. The fight against Ortiz would be really interesting and one that could be made into a big event. There are lots of options for Thurman now that he was able to make it through a fight without an injury. Let’s just hope we can see him back in the ring soon, and it not be another year or so before he fights again.