Thurman says Mayweather is most powerful fighter right now
Keith Thurman (26-0, 22 knockouts, or KOs) has said that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is boxing’s most powerful fighter right now. It is because Mayweather takes pride in being his own boss and being the master of his own destiny, according to Thurman.
Mayweather is slated to fight his last bout with Showtime in September. Thurman has already challenged the Grand Rapids native fighter for a bout, but the latter seemed detached on the subject of a potential match with him.
In an article by Boxing Scene , Thurman expressed his sentiments on why Mayweather has chosen to overlook him as a possible opponent. However, he said that he is willing to wait in the wings and will not stop challenging the undefeated fighter until he finally lands a shot at Mayweather’s 48-0, 26 KOs boxing record. Thurman said he has come to terms with an understanding of the power of the Mayweather brand.
“I’ve come to conclusions with Mayweather and his team saying I’m not on their to-do list,” Thurman said. “I come to acknowledge that Floyd Mayweather is in a position that he has the most power than any other fighter right now.”
Mayweather has enticed the public by delaying the announcement on whom he would battle next when he steps back into the squared circle. The American, who won his 48th straight career win in May, officially announced that he would be fighting Berto with only a little over a month before his fight date. Thurman reckons that Mayweather is using his “power,” adding that Mayweather was putting pressure on his next foe, which is why the undefeated fighter is taking his sweet time before revealing his September opponent.
When Mayweather left HBO for a lucrative six-fight contract with Showtime, he also signed a contract that would allow him to take full control of his fights. The contract has given Mayweather the financial power he needed to become his own boss, which is why Thurman has hinted that there was some sort of “politics” involved into being left out in the running towards becoming the next fighter who will have a shot at Mayweather's undefeated record. Thurman was once primed as a mandatory challenger for Mayweather’s World Boxing Association welterweight title until Mayweather was endorsed as super welterweight, which means that he won’t be relegated to fight him, a regular welterweight champion.
Thurman has also said that Mayweather fights because of money and urged fans to boycott his September fight, saying that he wouldn’t even pay to watch the bout. Mayweather’s last fight with Manny Pacquiao in May has broken all his revenue records. The bout, deemed as the “Fight of the Century,” has generated more than $500 million (AU$679.84), reported Business Insider.
Mayweather will return to the ring on Sept. 12 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Berto, whom many regard as an unthreatening foe, will have the opportunity to possibly tarnish Mayweather’s perfect boxing record.
Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.
