‘Can you make round two?’ US superstar eyes Tszyu, sledges Aussie hopeful over brutal KO

American superstar Keith Thurman has branded Brock Jarvis a “sheltered” fighter and questioned his ability to survive even a round against world class opposition.

Thurman vs Jarvis | WED 12 MARCH 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Brock Jarvis will take on former Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman in a blockbuster event at the Hordern Pavillion | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

It comes as the former welterweight king – who is already being rumoured for a 2025 showdown against Tim Tszyu – also took aim at the Australian prospect’s infamous KO loss against Liam Paro three years ago, saying: “Brock, my man, last time you stepped up you couldn’t make it past the first”.

Almost a year on from his shock withdrawal from a Las Vegas headliner against Tszyu, 36-year-old Thurman is now readying to take on The Soul Taker’s No Limit stablemate in a March 12 Pay-Per-View headliner.

Set for Sydney’s iconic Hordern Pavilion, the bout will be the first for the brash American in almost three years.

Yet that lay-off has done nothing to deter his confidence, as proved when Thurman spoke about the impending clash from inside his US training camp this week.

Back in 2022, Jarvis lasted less than a round in his own all-Australian showdown against Paro, who would go on to briefly hold the IBF super lightweight title.

While it remains the only loss of the 27-year-old’s professional career, Thurman is now questioning how the Aussie will survive against a former unified world champion like himself, especially after choosing recently to move up two weight classes.

Should one of the modern era’s greatest welterweights win, there are already whispers about him going straight into a showdown with Tszyu, who must also prove successful in his own April headliner against Joey Spencer.

But before all that, Jarvis.

Asked his thoughts on the Aussie this week, Thurman replied: “Who is Brock Jarvis and what has he done in boxing?

“It’s a good question.

“I ask myself the same thing.

“What have you done, Brock? I don’t know.

“First time you stepped up, you didn’t get past the first round.

“So, can you do me a favour?

“On March 12, make it to round two.”

Soon after, the brash American continued: “Brock Jarvis is a sturdy guy — rough and tough, an inside fighter — but he’s been sheltered on his island, in his little bubble.

“And I’m coming to pop that bubble.”

Any messages for the Sydneysider now then, just four weeks out?

“Brock, my man,” Thurman said, “last time you stepped up, you couldn’t make it past the first round.

“So do me a favour, please; for me, for your Australian fans, for everyone that’s tuning in — can you make it to round two?

“Just round two, man.

“I promise it won’t be much longer, but I have faith you can make it out of the first round.

“Let’s go, Brock … let’s go.”

After more than three years out of the sport, Thurman is finally looking to return in an Australian Pay-Per-View headliner and build on a resume that includes not only world titles, but the stunning boast that is never losing to anyone not named Manny Pacquiao.

Even in his most recent fight, which occurred way back in 2022, the fighter dubbed ‘One Time’ earned a convincing win over Mario Barrios, who is himself now the interim WBC welterweight champ.

Apart from being a huge coup for Australian promoters No Limit, Thurman’s presence Down Under also hints at a potential headliner, in victory, against Tszyu, the biggest name on the Rose brother’s growing roster.

Already, Thurman has said once he beats Jarvis in March, he will happily throw down against the elder Tszyu sibling, who is himself preparing to headline against Spencer in early April.

Both Thurman and Tszyu were initially set to headline a Las Vegas card in early 2024, however the American withdrew due a biceps injury.

When it comes to his latest Australian rival however, one of the greatest welterweights of the modern era said he had never heard of Jarvis until approached about the fight last December.

“I guess Santa had a surprise for me,” he laughed.

And as for what threats the Aussie poses for you?

“Watching Brock Jarvis highlights, it’s hard to consider him a threat for a fighter of my calibre, who hasn’t just faced world champions, but has beaten undefeated world champions, a list of many ex-world champions.

“My only career loss was a split decision to legendary Manny Pacquiao.

“So, Brock Jarvis?

“To me, he looks like somebody who hits the gym, who knows how to go for the win, but has he really been swimming out there with the sharks?

“It doesn’t look like it.

“And that’s what I’m bringing to the table—something he’s never seen before.”

Pushed on Jarvis, he continued: “Assessing his tape, I’d say what he does well is get to that left side for a really nice body shot.

“He likes to double up the left hook.

“Sometimes he switches it up and mixes in uppercuts on the inside.

“And what he does wrong?

“He stays in the pocket a little too long.

“But in boxing, you can do the wrong thing over and over again — it takes your opponent to prove to you why what you’re doing in front of them is a mistake.

“Otherwise, you can continue to do these bad habits and not even know they’re bad habits.

“So, I’ll be exposing that.

“Obviously, he has a great opportunity now, stepping into the ring with a two-time world champion.

“But last time he was in the ring with a champion (Paro), he got knocked out.

“Now he wants to redeem himself, and there’s no better way to redeem himself than come March 12.

“But I’m sorry, Brock, this is my comeback, not your redemption.”