‘Like Muhammad Ali – I’m Gonna Show You How Great I Am’: Keith Thurman Ready for March 30 vs. Tim Tszyu

On Saturday, March 30, Keith Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) will return to the ring and face rising star Tim Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) in a 12-round showdown at a contract weight of 155 pounds, one over the junior middleweight limit. The fight will be the first PBC pay-per-view event with Prime Video at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ahead of the fight, they have already met at a virtual press conference, with both fighters seemingly full of confidence. Following on – from Dan Rafael‘s recent conversation with Tszyu, he has now spoken to Keith Thurman, who was keen to remind everyone that he should not be underestimated ahead of his next fight.

Keith Thurman Next Fight: ‘One Time’ Feeling Confident Ahead of Tim Tszyu Clash

Keith Thurman Discusses Inactivity, Errol Spence and Terence Crawford

Thurman went quickly to the Mario Barrios fight and what he had hoped to happen after: By the end of that year (2022), the WBC mandated the (Errol) Spence fight.” He then explained that the car accident involving Spence ended that fight, and he chose to fight Terence Crawford. 

He added: “That should have been Thurman-Spence right there.”

Read More: Tim Tszyu Demolishes Carlos Ocampo

After briefly discussing his inactivity, he explained how good it was to get the call about the Tszyu fight: “When I got the phone call to fight Tim Tszyu, it did something. It really felt like an opportunity.”

Continuing on the subject of inactivity: “As far as being inactive, we were more active than everybody gives me credit for – because we were in and out of the gym all of 2023, anticipating a fight.”

Listen below to the full interview between Keith Thurman and Dan Rafael, and more on the latest “Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast.”

Keith Thurman vs. Tim Tszyu

In a message to Tim Tszyu: “What I bring to the ring, its different.”

Asking about it being a non-title fight, the American said: “Who cares.” He added: “Even though the belt is not on the line, Tim Tszyu‘s undefeated record is.”

“March 30, Tim Tszyu is trying to make a name. March 30, Keith Thurman is just helping you remember his.”

When asked about his opponents record – the Clearwater native appeared unimpressed: “He didn’t knock out Mendoza. How’s this man going to knock me out.”

Read More: Former World Champ Keith Thurman Cruised In Saturday Return

“In two fights, I can blow through this whole division (154) and reestablish myself as a Hall of Famer when I’m already a Hall of Famer.” He added: “I just have to remind you who Keith Thurman is.”

“All I have to do is hit this man one time for the one time to remind you about “One Time” Keith Thurman.”

In a prediction for the March 31 headline, “One Time” said: “Keith Thurman Knocks out Tim Tszyu. 154 What are you gonna do.”

Thurman finished the interview by saying: “Like Muhammad Ali – I’m gonna show you how great I am. Don’t count me out.”