Keith Thurman Set for Comeback Against Brock Jarvis

Former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman (28-1, 22 KOs) is set to make his comeback at 36, facing Australia’s Brock Jarvis in Sydney on Wednesday, March 12.

Thurman appears every bit his age after a three-year hiatus due to injuries and failed fight negotiations. Confident as ever, ‘One Time’ insists he would defeat Jarvis (22-1, 20 KOs) even if he were 46, predicting an easy victory.

“I’m going to hit him, and I am going to hurt him. It’s going to be interesting to see how he reacts to it.” “He’s never seen nothing like this. I could be 46-years-old and I still whoop his a**. I could be 56-years-old and I still whoop his a**,” said Thurman in their press conference. “I came back to get in the sport of boxing that I love. They wonder why I’m still here but when I bring that hot fire, you’re going to know what it’s all about, man.”

Aside from comparing the Australian’s fighting style to a cardboard box on wheels, the two-time welterweight champion also labeled his opponent a “muscle-bound b****” and criticized his management for making the same mistakes as Team Tszyu did last year.

It has been just over a year since Thurman had to withdraw from a highly anticipated Las Vegas showdown against Tszyu, who then went on to suffer back-to-back world title losses to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev.

Jarvis, 27, believes Thurman is no longer the fighter he once was, arguing that injuries, age, and inactivity will be too much for him to overcome. Time hasn’t been on Thurman’s side—his hair has thinned, and he lacks the sharpness he had in his prime. He hasn’t fought since his 2022 victory over Mario Barrios, and before that, he had been inactive for three years following a lucrative payday against Manny Pacquiao in 2019. With his interests in reading and yoga keeping him away from the ring, some fans speculate that Thurman’s return is simply a financial move to cash in on Australian paydays against Jarvis and Tim Tszyu.

If ‘One Time’ gets past Jarvis, his next opponent will be former WBO 154-lb champion Tim Tszyu. In other words, Jarvis serves as a tune-up fight—but a dangerous one. He possesses impressive power in his right hand and holds the advantage of youth.

“The way this fight is going to go. Keith is an old man now. He’s not the same as he used to be. He thinks he’s the same but he’s not,” said Brock Jarvis.

“He’s coming off some injuries, and he’s going to really struggle to get back in there.

“I looked at him the other day and he didn’t look ready at all. He looked like he was involved in a yoga class,” said Jarvis. “I’m the one bringing the heat. I’m coming for the knockout. I’m not going to miss. I’m going to hit him and I’m going to hurt him. It’s going to be interesting. I don’t know how he’s going to react at his age anymore.”