When asked if he wanted to use Keith Thurman in his “return game,” Errol Spence Jr. answered with one word: “Well.”
Former three-belt unified welterweight champion Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) has no interest in fighting 35-year-old “One Time” Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) for two reasons. It can be understood.
Reason #1: Unreliable
Spence cannot trust Thurman as his return opponent. Because he spent months training and the last thing he wanted was a bicep that crippled him. It's not personal.
Thurman is too fragile right now. This is partly due to old age, but mainly due to lack of exercise.
With just three fights in seven years, Thurman hasn't been active enough, and his body has struggled to withstand the demands of suddenly being asked to put in a grueling training camp after years on the couch. I can't.
Reason #2: Thurman's Ducking History
Thurman dodged Spence like the plague from 2014 to 2018, when Spence was still at the top and one of the best welterweights in the division.
It's too late now that Thurman is needy, depressed, and in need of a boost of energy from Spence. Thurman's career is heading toward oblivion, and now he wants Spence to throw him a life preserver to keep it from sinking.
Spence needs someone he can trust to come back, not someone who will pull out the fight if he hurts his fingernail. Thurman would be suitable to be used as a trial horse to gain experience as one of the younger candidates.
A young fighter can afford to put Thurman on injured reserve and waste time. Spence is not young enough to have his fight with Thurman postponed due to various injuries. Thurman had a chance but didn't take advantage of Spence's offer.
Yay https://t.co/6bzdMBRlFH
— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) March 19, 2024
