The stage is set as two-time world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman and the undefeated rising star, reigning world champion Tim Tszyu, size each other up ahead of their highly anticipated 12-round showdown.
Entering the contest, Thurman comes in with a record of 30-1 with 22 knockouts with his only loss coming to Manny Pacquiao back in July of 2019 per split decision. Despite taking a two-year hiatus following the loss, Thurman returned in true form with his most recent victory coming by unanimous decision over Mario Barrios in 2022. Barrios had only one loss on his record before their fight. Now the Florida native returns to the ring two years later looking to add to his legacy.
In the opposite corner, Tszyu enters the ring unblemished with a record of 24-0 with 17 knockouts. Otherwise referred to as “The Soul Taker,” Tszyu is coming off a strong performance where he defeated Brian Mendoza last October via unanimous decision. As a champion that has so far dominated in the Welterweight division, the 29-year-old Australian now faces his biggest test yet.
On Thursday afternoon, the fighters engaged with the media via virtual press conference, offering insights and predictions ahead of their headline event on a PBC Pay-Per-View, exclusively available on Prime Video.
Thurman Embracing the “Underdog” Tag
Over the last couple of weeks, Thurman has made it quite apparent that he has heard the rumblings that he is coming into this fight as a so-called “underdog.” Thurman refers to the sportsbooks, like OddsChecker.com who are giving him a +600 chance to come out with the victory as opposed to Tszyu who is heavily favored at -715. Thurman shared his thoughts on his role as the “underdog” and how it only further enhances his story around his return back to boxing.
“A lot of people think that I shouldn’t have signed this contract,” Thurman said. “If I wanted to come up to 154, I should be fighting anyone but [Tim] Tszyu to kick it off. But this is what I live for. I live for the action. I want to shake the world up. I’m coming in as an underdog. I’m coming off of a layoff, I feel like [Sugar] Ray Leonard, I feel like [Muhammad] Ali. This story has been done before, it’s my job to make the upset come the 30th and turn this into my story. And to represent my greatness and Keith “One Time” Thurman brings to the sport of boxing.”
Thurman Answers the Big Question: Why Tszyu?
Of course, with yet another two-year layoff from boxing, many fans and media members come into this matchup wondering why Keith Thurman would make an undefeated champion his first opponent back on the canvas. Thurman answers this question with a question of his own, along with a passionate anecdote about why Tszyu actually is the perfect opponent for his return.
“The moment you ask why, I get to ask why not!” Thurman told reporters. “It’s life. You want life to have a certain excitement to it…We’re fighters baby! Do you want my blood to be stagnant or do you want it to boil with passion? And that’s what Tszyu does. When I got the phone call, it just woke the blood in me, the warrior, the one that has something to gain. We don’t do this to gain nothing. We do this to gain something: Love, Admiration, Money, Fame and Legacy. There’s so much to gain and that’s what this fight is all about.”
“I just love boxing, I love shaking up the world of boxing,” Thurman added. “And apparently just from the talks of the whole dilemma of me fighting Tszyu, I’m doing exactly what I want to do and I have to gotta walk with the victor for it to come into completion. But besides that, I mean I’m very happy and very satisfied with this fight right now.”
Tszyu Takes No Days Off
In this current climate of boxing, it is unorthodox these days for top-level fighters to take on back-to-back elite competition within a short period of time. Tszyu is only five months removed from his last big fight and wasted no time setting up his next big challenge. Tszyu shared his mindset on embracing the momentum he built during his 2023 campaign and his plan to continue his reign over the Welterweight division.
“It wasn’t a hard decision at all,” Tszyu said. It was made for the fact that I knew where I wanted to get to. To this stage where I am now, I had to take these fights. I had to keep progressing with my career or else what else was I going to do? Sit on my ass and do nothing? That’s not me. So I made it quite simple. To take fights, to take the hardest fights, to take whoever was out there…For me it’s all about proving that I’m the man at 154.”
Tszyu Shares His Prediction for the Fight
Neither of these fighters lack bravado heading into their fight, but it was Tszyu who made a definitive take regarding the future result of his fight against Thurman. Tszyu shared with the media his prediction of who will win the fight while also sending a message to the rest of the Welterweight division.
“The way I’m feeling now, honestly I feel like a trainwreck,” Tszyu said. “I’m about to steamroll everyone. Simple. It’s not just Keith [Thurman], no disrespect to Keith, but it’s everyone. Simple.”
What’s Next
You can catch Thurman vs. Tszyu at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas or on Prime Video on Saturday, March 30.
Photo: Keith Thurman/X @keithfthurmanjr
