Keith Thurman, left, throws a punch against Manny Pacquiao in the eighth round during a welterweight title fight Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
MANILA, Philippines—For six years, Keith Thurman has had a version of a World welterweight title around his waist but that came to a crashing halt when he faced an aging Manny Pacquiao in 2019.
Thurman, who was also undefeated at the time, lost the WBA Super World welterweight title to Pacquiao in a split decision loss in 2019 and he’s now rearing to get back the gold that was once his.
In a report on BoxingScene.com, Thurman (29-1) said that the loss to Pacquiao derailed a plan that would’ve seen him become the holder of at least three titles in the welterweight division, pushing him to start all over again.
Accomplishing that dream would also mean chasing the 41-year-old Pacquiao to the very end of his career.
“I want the opportunity to get my title back,” said Thurman. “It was my title that [Pacquiao] took and I would love that opportunity. It’s not mandated or forced upon him, so it’s just really up to him and what he’s choosing to do. Until he finishes his career out, I will demand that rematch.”
Thurman was considered as one of the best welterweights of the time and he reached the pinnacle of his career when he defeated Danny Garcia in a 12-round classic in 2017 to unify the WBC and WBA titles.
After taking half of the 147-pound titles, visions of becoming the division’s undisputed champion began to pop up but injuries forced him to relinquish the WBC strap and in just the second fight of his return the WBA title was taken away from him after lost via split decision to Pacquiao.
If it wasn’t for his loss to Pacquiao, Thurman could’ve pushed for a fight against WBC and IBF champion Errol Spence and that bout would’ve been easily made as all three of the boxers are under the Premier Boxing Champions umbrella.
“I had a goal in mind, I had a dream that when I fight Errol Spence, Jr. it will be for three world titles one way or another. Originally, I was the undefeated, unified welterweight champion. Now, currently, he is the undefeated, unified welterweight champion,” said Thurman. “If I step into the belts with him today, there’s only two belts on the line. I gotta blame Manny Pacquiao for that. A part of me wants my get back.”
Despite the loss, Thurman said that his fight against Pacquiao was one of the favorites of his career and he felt the validation after spectators and people close to him said that they felt the fight should’ve gone more than 12 rounds.
“It was arguably one of Pacquiao’s best performances of all time, just the action of the fight. I had people who told me afterward, after the 12th round they were waiting for more action. Nobody knew the fight was over. Nobody paid attention to the rounds. They were just glued to the TV,” said Thurman.
“I would really love to share the ring with him once again. It was just such an amazing experience. It was one of my favorite fights of all time. I’d love to relive it and possibly get that opportunity to get the belt back.”