Keith Thurman just recently lost out on his upcoming fight with Sebastian Fundora for the time being, so with some extra time on his hands he sat down with Fight Hub TV to discuss a number of topics, including the most recent fight over the weekend when Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis stopped Uisma Lima in less than a full round. Here’s some of what he had to say below.
Thurman on his reaction to Boots performance over the weekend
“I think that’s what you get when you pick your tune ups. I don’t know who he fought and I know I don’t know a lot of people because I’m a family
man and I’m not doing a lot of reporter analytical work these days, but I know a lot of people who didn’t know who he fought so that reassured me that I’m not the only one.
“But Boots is Boots. He smelled blood in the first round and he handled it. I mean, he was coming out nice and calm, the kid just couldn’t weather the storm. Once it goes downhill, it goes downhill quick. So that’s the one thing about Boots, he is a good finisher if he can get you in that danger zone.
“He’s definitely looking strong at ‘54 and he’s definitely going to be a threat for anybody. I think Charlo called him out and different things, and there’s a lot more talent at ‘54 before you want to crown yourself king with one first round knockout with a handpicked opponent. There’s some good talent at 154 so you handle the business against a more solid opponent like the winner of Vergil vs Lubin or get Charlo on his comeback fight…”
On whether he views Boots as a potential future opponent
“I’ve always seen him as a future potential opponent. I wish when he was with PBC, I wish there was a little more transparency. I heard his name come up once for the first time in my career, right? Sometimes they’re like ‘what about this guy?’ If I’ve never even heard in negotiations for my upcoming fights then it’s not even on the table. So the first time I heard Boots Ennis name hit the table, they gave me three options.
“I had a simple conversation, I said ‘you give me one of these two guys, and then you throw me Boots.’ If you want Thurman vs Boots, all you got to say is ‘Keith, the best fight we got for you right now, the best thing we can do, and almost the only thing we can do for you — unless you really don’t want it — is Boots Ennis. Do you want him or not?’
“If it was presented to me like that ya’ll would’ve already saw Thurman vs Boots…”
On Eddie Hearn saying he was offered this fight date against Boots
“No he didn’t. Stop lying. Eddie, stop lying. Fake news.”
