Former unified welterweight champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman is looking to step back into the ring this August, setting his sights on a face-off with ex-WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas. Given Thurman’s six-year hiatus from the world of professional boxing, this move carries with it a degree of risk and potential rustiness that can’t be overlooked.
In an interview with Brian Custer, Thurman voiced a desire to revert to the formidable ‘One Time’ knockout puncher he once was, before inertia gripped his career. This desire was laced with a hint of regret, suggesting a yearning for the vibrancy of his early career. Thurman’s ambitions might be grand, but there’s a lingering sense that he may be stuck in the past, still seeing himself as the young fighter he was more than half a decade ago.
Thurman’s professional boxing activity has been significantly reduced since 2017, with only a handful of fights under his belt, the last against Mario Barrios in 2022. The question on many fans’ lips is whether his success and subsequent wealth have hindered ‘One Time’ Thurman’s potential. The answer remains shrouded in uncertainty. His decision to fight sporadically over the past six years, enjoying his earnings from high-profile bouts against Danny Garcia and Manny Pacquiao, leaves him with a significant gap to close if he wants to reclaim his former glory.
Thurman seems optimistic about this return, referring to the electric performances of Deontay ‘Bronze Bomber’ Wilder as his inspiration. Despite this, there’s a sense of denial about the reality of his situation. Even if he does step into the ring with Ugas in August, when will we see him fight next? His current track record suggests another long hiatus could follow. Thurman needs to ground himself in the present, aligning his ambitions with the reality of his current abilities. Only then can the true spirit of ‘One Time’ be reborn.
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