WBA World welterweight champion Keith Thurman (25-0, 21KO’s) believes that he and IBF champion Kell Brook (35-0, 24KO’s) are the two best qualified fighters for beating Floyd Mayweather Jr. (48-0, 26 KO’s) if they should get the opportunity before he retires.
Speaking with FightHype.com Thurman laid out the logic behind his theory.
“Let’s be very honest. There is no evidence that anybody can beat Floyd. The question is; who is the best challenger? When you are not the favourite to win, you are thus, the challenger. Who is the best challenger in the welterweight division for Floyd Mayweather?”
“Right now there are three challengers. There’s Kell Brook, Amir [Khan] is in the running and then there’s me, Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman; the highest ranked American fighter in the welterweight division. The hardest hitting welterweight in the welterweight division and another undefeated welterweight.”
“A lot of people feel because Floyd is so undefeated that if he fights anybody who has been defeated that he’s gonna do it too cuz when you see somebody lose we call that a blueprint.”
This perspective immediately prioritises the two champions over Amir Khan, who has been by far the most vocal in his pursuit of Floyd out of all the viable suitors.
“Amir Khan has been beaten more than once, there’s more than one blueprint out there. Kell Brook is undefeated, I’m undefeated. I like Kell and I like myself against Floyd Mayweather.”
Thurman’s is a viewpoint difficult to argue with when speaking in terms of boxing itself; the action that happens between the ropes on fight night.
He and Brook are two young, big-hitting, athletic champions who would fancy their chances against the aging Floyd, especially now that his speed is starting to erode.
However, Amir Khan is probably ahead of both of them in the queue to face the ‘Money’ man for two hugely significant reasons.
For one, he is better known than Thurman and Brook on a global level. His international ‘Khan Army’ are as loyal as they are loud and would certainly turn out in droves to purchase the PPV card their man would be headlining.
In addition, almost in contradiction, he brings with him less danger to the ring.
Khan is all about speed. If there are quicker hands in the sport they are yet to be showcased on a big stage. His hand speed, combined with his height and reach lead some people to believe he has a good shot at beating Floyd. They may just be right, but Khan has neither the one-punch KO ability or the durability of Thurman or Brook.
Whenever he gets clipped on the chin by a heavy-handed hitter the effects are there for all to see; his legs wobble at the slightest invitation.
Floyd is not in the habit of knocking guys out by any means but he would have a far greater chance of deterring Khan on his way forward than either Thurman or Brook, and he would not need to be nearly as wary of what is being thrown back at him.
All of these factors combine to ensure that Thurman and Brook, while they are the most suitable candidates for the task, will not be taking on Floyd Mayweather any time soon. That being said, judging from Khan’s fruitless chase over the last two years, he is no closer either.
