American superstar Keith Thurman has vowed to finish Brock Jarvis within five rounds after looking up his highlights on Google, while also revealing his plans to then throw down against Australian poster boy Tim Tszyu — who the former welterweight king now insists he could beat “one handed”.
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Almost a year to the day since he was sensationally ruled out of a Las Vegas headliner against Tszyu, 36-year-old Thurman has confirmed he will finally make his anticipated return to the sport against Jarvis in Sydney on March 12.
One of the greatest welterweights of the modern era was beamed into a Sydney press conference on Wednesday, where he took aim at the rising Aussie prospect who will become his first opponent in three years.
The fighter dubbed ‘One Time’ also hinted the Jarvis showdown will be part of a two-fight deal with Australian promoters No Limit – suggesting, with a win, he will then finally throw down against Tszyu later this year.
Elsewhere, the man who has never lost to anyone not named Manny Pacquiao confessed to having no idea who Jarvis was, promised to finish “the kangaroo” within five, and also took a big stick to Australian boxing generally.
“You don’t run boxing,” stressed the fighter whose last outing was a win over no less than current WBC welterweight champ Mario Barrios. “The US runs boxing”.
After almost three years out of the sport, Thurman is now set to return for a fight that, set to take place inside Sydney’s iconic Hordern Pavilion, represents both a huge opportunity for Jarvis.
‘S*** happens’ Tszyu on his comeback | 05:03
Should the American, who will be heavily favoured with bookies, win, he hinted at a follow up Australian blockbuster against Tszyu, who only a few months back he was urging to “sign the paperwork, baby”.
Quizzed on suggestions his shock return Down Under is part of a plan to fight both Jarvis and Tszyu this year, Thurman replied: “You guys want it and the promoters from that side of town are capable of making this happen.
“This is what it is.
“(But first) I’m going to remind people who Keith Thurman is by beating up some kangaroo.
“All you want me to do is beat up some kangaroo.
“I’m going to fly over there, I’m going to get me this kangaroo, then I’ll come back and get Tszyu if that’s the entertainment you guys want.
“You’ve had Roy Jones Jnr.
“You’ve had Manny Pacquiao.
“You’ve had some world class fighters come to your soil.
“Luckily for you, I’m what’s next.”
Of course, it’s worth noting that both Pacquaio and Jones came to Australia as huge betting favourites, only to then be upset by Jeff Horn and Danny Green respectively.
Regardless, Thurman cared little for any of that on Wednesday as he and Jarvis were involved in a wonderfully heated exchange, despite being seated in studios on separate sides of the globe.
While proceedings started pleasantly enough, Thurman quickly revealed how he was forced to look Jarvis up on Google – before then reminding the Sydneysider that the last time he took a headliner like this one, he was kayoed within a round by countryman Liam Paro.
Asked what he knew about his younger rival, Thurman initially mentioned the fellow Aussie he was supposed to fight in 2024, replying: “I knew about Tim Tszyu, obviously with his father and what he was able to do becoming champion”.
‘Tim, grow a pair! You are running’ | 06:40
But Jarvis?
“I had to do a little Google research on who Brock Jarvis was,” he said.
“I saw his accolades at 147.
“How he lost in his world title shot …”
Soon after, however, he added of the Sydneysider who made his own triumphant return to the ring in December after a two year hiatus: “He’s not Mexican, but he’s gotta have some cajones to step up with me”.
It was, however, as complimentary as things got.
During another exchange, Thurman shouted: “What have you done Brock?
“Ask him a real question, man.
“What have you done in boxing? What have you done.”
Jarvis: “It’s what I’m about to do.
“I’m about to beat up on an old man who is well and truly past it.”
Elsewhere, Jarvis gave plenty more of his own through what was almost 10 minutes of a back-and-forth, with the fighter also questioning if Thurman would be fit to fight before declaring himself ready to score what would be one Australian boxing’s greatest upsets as part of his move to the super welterweight division.
“He’s stated that he’s a power puncher,” the Aussie said of Thurman. “But he hasn’t knocked anyone out in 10 years.
“Hasn’t fought in three years.
“That’s a long time at his age.
“He also had a scheduled fight last year (against Tszyu), but pulled out with an ‘old man’ injury.
“A torn bicep.
“So I’m a bit worried actually that he might not show up.
“I’ll feel a lot better when he arrives on Australian soil.”
Cue Thurman.
“This is not about Brock,” he warned.
“You guys love him, I’m coming to your city.
“But when Keith Thurman steps into that ring, it’s always The Thurman Show.
“And when I get there, you’re gonna know, it’s not about Brock.
“This is going to be one of the greatest comebacks in 2025.
“Time does not take away the ability of champions …”
At which point Jarvis cut in.
“The show is over,” he said, staring up at Thurman being beamed in on a big screen.
“The show is over Keith. Over.
“It’s finished.”
But Thurman was anything but finished.
“The show has just begun my friend,” he said, cutting in himself. “And you’re the opening act.
“You’re going to get a big welcoming slap.”
Then, soon after: “You got dropped — dropped — two fights ago. Got stopped. You got knocked out, kid. I’ve never been knocked out against any of the world champions”.
Jarvis: “You’re time is up. You’ve had your ‘One Time’.”
Thurman: “You will not handle five rounds. Guaranteed. You’re a child to me, son. An amateur”.
Jarvis: “You’re an old man. You’re well and truly past it. It’s over.”
Thurman: “Just like your daddy, I’m gonna give you that whoppin’.”
Jarvis: “Just show up on Australian soil, Keith. I’ll feel much better when you get here. I won’t worry anymore about you pulling out like you have in the past.”
Thurman: “I’ve pulled out of two fights with two injuries. One was a whiplash against Shawn Porter. I gave him the fight and won.
“I should’ve just beat Tim Tszyu one handed. You all saw what happened (to him), it was a big mistake. You mess with the big fish, US – we run boxing. You don’t run boxing, we run boxing.
“I’ve been about this life, son. You already got slapped the first time you tried to meet a champion. And you’re about to get slapped one more time. So don’t worry kid, I’ll be happy to give you the whoppin’ your daddy never did.”
Early last year, Thurman was forced out of his slated Tszyu headliner less than a fortnight out from the event, with towering American southpaw Sebastian Fundora parachuted in as a replacement.
Apart from extending Thurman’s time out of the ring, the untimely event also began a horror run for Tszyu, who subsequently dropped consecutive world title fights to both Fundora and then Bakhram Murtazaliev in October.
Ironically, it was just days out from that second title fight in Orlando, Florida, when Tszyu and Thurman again crossed paths, with Tszyu suggesting they had “unfinished business” and the American shouting “sign the paperwork, baby”.
“I believe in Tim” – Rose backs Tszyu | 01:20
But as for what he makes of the man who now plans to ruin all that?
“You got to understand, he has not been world champion,” Thurman said of Jarvis.
“Keith Thurman has not only been champion, I’ve beaten champions.
“I schooled the last champion, Mario Barrios.
“So it’s hard to impress me.
“But what I saw was a lively fighter.
“A guy who is gonna fight …”
And when, eventually, No Limit host Ben Damon asked the pair for any last words?
“Make sure you get there Keith,” Jarvis grinned. “Make sure you show up.
“I don’t want to hear about any old man injuries.”
At which, putting on his best mocking voice, Thurman replied: “Don’t miss your plane flight, der, der, der.
“I’m gonna be there boy.
“Don’t worry about it.
“We’ll have fun.
“I haven’t travelled since Covid and I love international travel.
“I met my wife in Tokyo, got married in Kathmandu and now I get to fly to Australia and slap you …”
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