How Did Keith Thurman Really Look From Ringside?

It was a solid return to the ring for former World Welterweight Champion Keith Thurman last Saturday night and we’re ready to recap that. Plus, we re-live one of boxing’s greatest upsets on this week’s edition of the “Big Fight Weekend” podcast.

We back to go over Thurman’s 12-round decision victory over Mario Barrios in Las Vegas last weekend. Thurman is hoping to get back into the World Welterweight Title picture after a two-and-a-half year layoff. And, TJ welcomes in Antione Williams from “Greatest of All Time Boxing Promotions” in Houston, who was ringside at the Mandalay Bay Resort for the Thurman bout.

Hear the conversation with Antione by clicking below,

Antione gives his analysis of what he saw in person and what’s next for Thurman? Would it be Unified World Welterweight Champion Errol Spence (if he defeats Yordenis Ugas in April) or perhaps, for one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world in Terence Crawford?

We discussed in some detail, including the continued “bad blood” between promoters Al Haymon and Bob Arum/Oscar De La Hoya that will hinder the likes of Vergil Ortiz, or maybe even, Terence Crawford from getting chances at Thurman or the Spence/Ugas winner?

After his decision win last Saturday, the former WBA World title holder told the media this on the subject of potentially fighting Crawford next.

“The fact that he’s a free agent should make things a little bit better. Working with Bob (Arum) isn’t fun for a lot of fighters. At the end of the day, I’m not sure…. I’m one of the best fighters in the world. I wanna fight whoever they give me. I do want to fight champions….I want an opportunity to get a world title again. So, if that (fighting Crawford) is the best opportunity, I’ll take it.”

Thurman is now 30-1, 22 KOs and a possible fight with the 37-0 Crawford, who’s regarded as one of the top pound for pound fighters in the sport, would be intriguing. Crawford was most recently in the ring in November in a TKO win over former WBC champ, Shawn Porter. Porter is also a fighter that Thurman defeated earlier in his title run back in 2016.

Still, Crawford may be lured towards fighting the Ugas/Spence winner more or could also potentially move up to 154 lb. and face the winner of the Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano Undisputed title rematch to be held in March.

In any event, Thurman will have options and we’ll wait for the next “domino” of who wins the April bout with Spence and Ugas to see if that will be it or not?