Keith Thurman admits he had to do some homework to find out who his next opponent, Brock Jarvis, was.
With Keith Thurman set to make his ring return this year in Australia against Brock Jarvis, both fighters appeared for a remote press conference where the pair discussed the March 12 fight. Here are some excerpts of what both fighters had to say with the full video presser in the link at the top.
Jarvis on landing a fight against Thurman
“I plan on making a statement on March 12th, so preparing hard and I’m really looking forward to this. This is a big opportunity for me and I want to make the most of it.”
Thurman on fighting Jarvis in Australia
“I had to do a little Google research on who Brock Jarvis was. I saw his accolades at 147, how he lost in his world title shot, and this is just what they brought to the table. I have been inactive for three years now, I’ve done great things in the sport of boxing, a lot of fights have not come off in the USA, even the last fight I suffered my third major injury which was very unfortunate but I still at 36 years old have a passion for the sport.
“I’ve been world champion twice, I love being world champion. I know I have fans from all over the world and this gives me the opportunity to back into the sport of boxing — which I love — travel overseas, and just allow those worldwide fans that I know that I have to see me face to face, to showcase my skills and my talent in Sydney, Australia and just show you guys what a mistake it is when you’re going to fight Keith Thurman and it’s going to be an easy fight.
“You have got to understand, he has not been world champion. You have to understand that Keith Thurman has not only been a champion but I’ve beat champions and I schooled the last champion Mario Barrios. So, you know, it’s hard to impress me but what I saw (of Jarvis) was a very lively fighter. I saw a guy who’s gonna fight. This guy is an insider, he’s gonna come bring power punches to the table.
“I was notorious when I was coming up for being a power puncher, this allows me to go back to my roots…he knows that in that arena on March 12 that there will be some firecrackers from the USA, from Australia, live in action…he’s not Mexican but he’s got to have some cojones to step up to me.”
Jarvis on what version of Thurman he’s expecting
“He stated right there that he’s a power puncher, I know he hasn’t knocked anyone out for 10 years. He hasn’t fought in three years and that’s a long time at his age. I know he had a scheduled fight last year, pulled out two weeks prior with an old man injury, torn bicep. So I’m a bit worried, actually, that he might not even show up. I’ll feel a lot better when he gets here and arrives on Australian soil.”
Thurman on Jarvis’ assessment of him
“This is going to be one of greatest comebacks in 2025. This is history in the making. This is Sugar Ray Leonard, this is Muhammad Ali after prison — time does not take away the ability of champions.”
Jarvis on Thurman’s response
“The time is up. You’ve had your ‘One Time.’..You’re well and truly past it. It’s all over.”
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