Former WBA welterweight champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman 29-1 (22) cannot wait to get back in the ring when he takes on Mario ‘El Azteca’ Barrios 26-1 (17) in his 147-pound debut at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.
The 33-year-old Thurman was last in action in July 2019 when he lost his strap to Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao 62-8-2 (39) in Las Vegas, Nevada by close split decision.
“It feels great to be back,” Thurman said. “The time is now. It feels natural. I was born and raised in this sport. This is where I belong and I’m grateful to be back in this beautiful fight town of Las Vegas.
“I missed the action. I love the sport and I love what I bring to the table. I’m looking forward to the challenges that Mario Barrios brings to that ring.
“I’m just happy to be here. I’m back where I belong, which is at the forefront of the sport of boxing. I’m facing a young and capable fighter. He’s a big little dude. It was a fun experience to size him up today.
“This is what I love. I don’t care how many days it’s been since I’ve been in the ring, I breathe boxing every day of my life. I’m here to showcase my talent to the world once again.
“I love to out-punch my opponent. Against everyone but Shawn Porter, I’ve felt like I had the ability to out-punch and out-perform them. In the Manny Pacquiao fight, when I walked him down, I wasn’t letting my hands go. I believe that I was 15 punches away from victory in that fight.
“I don’t need to waste punches in this fight. I need to land the cleaner and sharper shots. I see the warrior spirit in Mario Barrios and I believe he’s going to push me to fight harder.
“At the end of the day, I just evolve and I learn from everyone I’ve ever been in the ring with. I’m looking forward to showing everyone my poise and experience. I believe that my experience is going to help give me the upper hand.
“This is my presidential campaign, I am back. The welterweight division is back. Without me, the division has been wack. I bring the most exciting fights at welterweight. With or without a belt, I’m a champion and that’s the statement I’m making Saturday night.”
Barrios, 26, from San Antonio, Texas is looking to rebound from his first career loss. Heavy-handed southpaw Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 26-0 (24) stopped him in 11 frames in Atlanta, Georgia last June.
Thurman believes their aggressive styles will mesh well.
“It’s exciting to be facing someone who wants to trade,” he said. “He’s stepping up and facing me because he wants to make a name overnight. I respect that, but I’m here to stop him in his tracks.”
