Is Keith Thurman being ducked by the top guys?

[Badhusker]

Maidana pulled out 3 weeks ahead of time, Guerrero "declined", Porter didn't want it, etc.... Right there are three guys that are considered borderline elite at least, and apparently they didn't want to risk it by fighting Thurman. Khan, who considers himself elite, won't even mention Thurman's name. What a joke Khan is.
I am sure it is frustrating for Thurman, who admits that fans have a legit point when they say he has not proved him self yet. They (his promoters) need to start putting up serious money to get this guy fights against the top guys. The same can be said of Andrade and a few others.

[hulkmaniac]

Was thinking the same. Hopefully he becomes the mandatory for a belt and Jay-Z can bid high and win to draw more attention to him and and offer incentive for boxers to take a whooping from One Time.

[tiny_acres]

Too much risk and not enough money. That's all it boils down to.

[ReggieDiggs]

No. Keith is in the same spot a lot of promising guys get to. They don't offer the name value &/or $$$ value vs the challenge they are suspected of bringing. Usually they are just like Keith where they have shown promise, but haven't really beaten anyone casual fans would have heard of. He'll get a big enough fight within the next 6mos-9mos imho & he'll either lose or prove himself worthy of all the attention he's been getting & start getting more big fights. Basically its a situation that works itself out, but I don't think anyone is avoiding Keith for being Keith its just a juice isn't worth the squeeze situation. Hell there are guys who'd love to fight Keith right now, but their under Keith so it makes little to no sense for Keith to fight those guys too. Is he avoiding them? F#ck no. This sh!t happens @ every level just not the elite level.

[Horse]

Maidana pulled out 3 weeks ahead of time, Guerrero "declined", Porter didn't want it, etc.... Right there are three guys that are considered borderline elite at least, and apparently they didn't want to risk it by fighting Thurman. Khan, who considers himself elite, won't even mention Thurman's name. What a joke Khan is.
I am sure it is frustrating for Thurman, who admits that fans have a legit point when they say he has not proved him self yet. They (his promoters) need to start putting up serious money to get this guy fights against the top guys. The same can be said of Andrade and a few others.

Why is Khan a joke for not wanting to fight a guy who is all wrong for him?

Khan vs Thurman is an awful fight. It should not happen.

Why do you keep going on about Khan vs Thurman?

[Badhusker]

Maidana pulled out 3 weeks ahead of time, Guerrero "declined", Porter didn't want it, etc.... Right there are three guys that are considered borderline elite at least, and apparently they didn't want to risk it by fighting Thurman. Khan, who considers himself elite, won't even mention Thurman's name. What a joke Khan is.
I am sure it is frustrating for Thurman, who admits that fans have a legit point when they say he has not proved him self yet. They (his promoters) need to start putting up serious money to get this guy fights against the top guys. The same can be said of Andrade and a few others.

Why is Khan a joke for not wanting to fight a guy who is all wrong for him?

Khan vs Thurman is an awful fight. It should not happen.

Why do you keep going on about Khan vs Thurman?

First of all Khan keeps reminding everyone he will fight anyone. He claims that he has never said no to any fight. He believes he is an elite boxer, and for some odd reason above most of the top guys at his weight, despite only beating one guy who was obviously way past his best.

Khan vs Thurman is only an awful fight if you are a big Amir Khan fan. Like a lot of Khan's fights he would be very competitive and could possibly win if he avoids the hard shot to the chin. Most fans like that kind of excitement and KO possibility, but Khan fans lobby against it.

As long as Khan keeps his claim of fearing no one, and that he will fight anyone, I will keep reminding people that his claim is false.

[Tarkus]

I think Thurman still needs to fight and increase his profile before we speak of ducking. Also, he needs to push for a mandatory position. He had only one fight this year, what is he waiting for. Not wanting to fight him is not necessarily ducking.

Why would Khan fight Thurman? Its a minor fight for him. He is pushing for titles and huge fights at this stage. Thurman is simply not interesting for Khan.

[Badhusker]

I think Thurman still needs to fight and increase his profile before we speak of ducking. Also, he needs to push for a mandatory position. He had only one fight this year, what is he waiting for. Not wanting to fight him is not necessarily ducking.

Why would Khan fight Thurman? Its a minor fight for him. He is pushing for titles and huge fights at this stage. Thurman is simply not interesting for Khan.

Ducking is maybe too strong of a term at this point. Thurman is more established at welterweight than Khan is. Khan had a big name at 140, but instead of cleaning out the division lost to both Peterson and Garcia. Both have things to prove at welterweight, and guys that need to do that should fight each other. As far as a mandatory, Thurman has been sitting there. Khan has not earned even that yet. Both are pushing for titles and huge fights, so to say Thurman is not worthy of Khan's attention is laughable.

[Tarkus]

Would you rather fight Brook for a title, on a Wembley stadium, PPV or Thurman? On the other hand if Thurman keeps winning he becomes a big fight for Khan or Brook down the line. For me as a boxing fan it is better if this fights happen when Thurman is bigger, more excitement.

Whose mandatory is Thurman Floyd or Pacman? Is that what he is waiting for

[danconnollyeire]

To be fair, yes Khan might be scared of fighting Thurman but he gets a lot more money in a domestic showdown at Wembley vs Brook for a world title than a non-title fight against a non-household name so you can't blame him

[tiny_acres]

To be fair, yes Khan might be scared of fighting Thurman but he gets a lot more money in a domestic showdown at Wembley vs Brook for a world title than a non-title fight against a non-household name so you can't blame him

I do not think Khan will fight Brooks.Khan thinks he deserves the big payday against Pac or FMJ.

[danconnollyeire]

To be fair, yes Khan might be scared of fighting Thurman but he gets a lot more money in a domestic showdown at Wembley vs Brook for a world title than a non-title fight against a non-household name so you can't blame him

I do not think Khan will fight Brooks.Khan thinks he deserves the big payday against Pac or FMJ.

Khan vs Brook will defo happen

[zero]

To be fair, yes Khan might be scared of fighting Thurman but he gets a lot more money in a domestic showdown at Wembley vs Brook for a world title than a non-title fight against a non-household name so you can't blame him

I do not think Khan will fight Brooks.Khan thinks he deserves the big payday against Pac or FMJ.

Khan vs Brook will defo happen

Money will be the only problem.

[lefty]

Would you rather fight Brook for a title, on a Wembley stadium, PPV or Thurman? On the other hand if Thurman keeps winning he becomes a big fight for Khan or Brook down the line. For me as a boxing fan it is better if this fights happen when Thurman is bigger, more excitement.

Whose mandatory is Thurman Floyd or Pacman? Is that what he is waiting for

Obviously brook at wembley although I think khan would end up losing to both anyway.

[Badhusker]

I think Thurman still needs to fight and increase his profile before we speak of ducking. Also, he needs to push for a mandatory position. He had only one fight this year, what is he waiting for. Not wanting to fight him is not necessarily ducking.

Why would Khan fight Thurman? Its a minor fight for him. He is pushing for titles and huge fights at this stage. Thurman is simply not interesting for Khan.

Would you rather fight Brook for a title, on a Wembley stadium, PPV or Thurman? On the other hand if Thurman keeps winning he becomes a big fight for Khan or Brook down the line. For me as a boxing fan it is better if this fights happen when Thurman is bigger, more excitement.

Whose mandatory is Thurman Floyd or Pacman? Is that what he is waiting for

You are the one that said Thurman should get in a mandatory challenger position. I simply pointed out he is there, and has been there for a while. Floyd doesn't do them, so he is out of luck. Khan is riding on his name from a few years ago but has only won one fight at welterweight.

Khan and Thurman could fight in November or December this year. I get it, Thurman is too high of a risk for Khan. Brook is in the same boat, as they don't want a high risk fight like Thurman either. It just looks bad to me if both Brook and Khan are supposedly higher ranked but shy away from fighting a guy that needs to prove more.

Khan vs Brook will be a big fight if it happens, and I know, its all about money. I just get sick of all the ducking and dodging that goes around, and not just welterweight. At this point I wouldn't blame Thurman if he signed with Top Rank if it means he gets bigger fights, like with Pacquiao. Haymon as a manager isn't doing much for him, and GB seems like they are protecting their guys. He is a free agent so we will see what happens.

[Chepppaaa]

thurman, ggg, kovalev.

thats the short list of "biggest punchers in boxing" right now and every 3 of em are getting ducked. hopkins boxing kovalev is an exception, but other champs and former like bute, pascal, adonis want nothing of kovalev.

cotto is in the same weight class as ggg and 0 talk. same goes for quillin.

porter prefered boxing a slick but not so powerful brook, why, because porter at a lot of points in fights is very open, because often throws wild, being open in defence against thurman means getting wrecked, porter and other know.

[Brut]

Maidana pulled out 3 weeks ahead of time, Guerrero "declined", Porter didn't want it, etc.... Right there are three guys that are considered borderline elite at least, and apparently they didn't want to risk it by fighting Thurman. Khan, who considers himself elite, won't even mention Thurman's name. What a joke Khan is.
I am sure it is frustrating for Thurman, who admits that fans have a legit point when they say he has not proved him self yet. They (his promoters) need to start putting up serious money to get this guy fights against the top guys. The same can be said of Andrade and a few others.

Khan is ducking for sure, Guerrero is ducking but Porter isn't. Maidana is busy at the moment so I won't be able to say for sure until he is done with his fight, after that if he gets a clear path to Keith and doesn't take it then yes he is ducking too.

[Tarkus]

Badhusker
Since Thurman is mandatory then obviously I was wrong and well done to Thurman. But surely the fault is with corrupt sanctioning bodies for not forcing the defense.

I am also tired of ducking but this situation is different. Both Khan and Brook HAVE bigger fight options. In contrast for Cotto, Soliman or Quillin not to fight Golovkin is ducking because they don't have better option.

Also I wont emphasize that this is not all about money but also occasion. You want to be involved in big events not just in big money fight (well unless you are the money). Thats why I think Brook v Thurman makes better sense late next year if both keep winning.

[Boxing Prospect]

...if Thurman is being ducked then...fighting more and raising your profile "the gold ol' way" is surely more beneficial than just talking? How about Thurman Vs Kamegai whichwould be SO MUCH FUN!

[zero]

thurman, ggg, kovalev.

thats the short list of "biggest punchers in boxing" right now and every 3 of em are getting ducked. hopkins boxing kovalev is an exception, but other champs and former like bute, pascal, adonis want nothing of kovalev.

cotto is in the same weight class as ggg and 0 talk. same goes for quillin.

porter prefered boxing a slick but not so powerful brook, why, because porter at a lot of points in fights is very open, because often throws wild, being open in defence against thurman means getting wrecked, porter and other know.

Brook was his mandatory. Keith brings nothing to the table other than possibly stopping you. It's risk/reward he's not an ideal voluntary for anyone.

[sharpei_louis]

Is Keith Thurman being ducked by the top guys?

Keith Thurman has not fought anyone of note, is not in possession of any highly-desirable titles and does not bring any money to the table, because an anonymous fighter like him is simply not a big draw (a situation that is compounded by his inactivity due to injury).

Therefore, I honestly don’t believe that Thurman is being “ducked” per se, but it’s difficult to justify the business logic for some of the high-profile welterweights to fight him when there’s better money to be gained by competing against bigger names.

Agreed.
If you're presented with a set of options and all of them bring in more money, which are you gonna pick? It's pretty irrelevant if the guy bottom of the list can KO you or not and doesn't mean you're ducking someone who doesnt have a great following or promise the most cash.

[Badhusker]

I probably shouldn't have brought Khan up because to me he isn't even in the top ten at welterweight. I think what Thurman is frustrated about is getting any meaningful fight against any of the top ten guys. Last fight they gave him Julio Diaz, who was basically even with Khan, and on his last leg in the pro ranks.

He does have things to prove still, but isn't afraid to lose either, which is refreshing compared to most. Someone like Bradley, Porter, Alexander, Guerrero, JMM, Lopez, etc would be excellent match-ups for him. Forget Khan, Floyd, Manny, Brook. Put him up against someone that will give him a fight, so we can see how good he is. Porter and Guerrero already said no, and doubt very much if JMM or Lopez will want the fight either. That leaves Bradley and Alexander, and he will have to sign with TR to get that fight I am guessing. I am guessing right now Khan will pick Alexander for his next fight.

[Chepppaaa]

thurman, ggg, kovalev.

thats the short list of "biggest punchers in boxing" right now and every 3 of em are getting ducked. hopkins boxing kovalev is an exception, but other champs and former like bute, pascal, adonis want nothing of kovalev.

cotto is in the same weight class as ggg and 0 talk. same goes for quillin.

porter prefered boxing a slick but not so powerful brook, why, because porter at a lot of points in fights is very open, because often throws wild, being open in defence against thurman means getting wrecked, porter and other know.

Brook was his mandatory. Keith brings nothing to the table other than possibly stopping you. It's risk/reward he's not an ideal voluntary for anyone.

not thats totaly not true, beating thurman on HBO television would mean a big bang win, mean, you beat one of the most dangerous punchers in the world, whoever would win against thurman would be hyped skyrocket high, even higher than a win for a worldtitle against a brit nobody knows in the states and a very technical sound boxer, who is hard to box, just ask porter hrhr.....


keith brings more to the table than brook. belts mean nothing, hype everything. win over the greatest puncher in worldwide welterweight and hyped as a future big star means more than beating brook.

[ttornado]

not thats totaly not true, beating thurman on HBO television would mean a big bang win, mean, you beat one of the most dangerous punchers in the world, whoever would win against thurman would be hyped skyrocket high, even higher than a win for a worldtitle against a brit nobody knows in the states and a very technical sound boxer, who is hard to box, just ask porter

First thing I don't expect to see Thurman on HBO soon, he isn't of the Hopkins level.
If Brook beats Thurman what will be said is 'who had he beaten'.

[lefty]

Badhusker
Since Thurman is mandatory then obviously I was wrong and well done to Thurman. But surely the fault is with corrupt sanctioning bodies for not forcing the defense.

I am also tired of ducking but this situation is different. Both Khan and Brook HAVE bigger fight options. In contrast for Cotto, Soliman or Quillin not to fight Golovkin is ducking because they don't have better option.

Also I wont emphasize that this is not all about money but also occasion. You want to be involved in big events not just in big money fight (well unless you are the money). Thats why I think Brook v Thurman makes better sense late next year if both keep winning.

How doesn't cotto have bigger fight options as you put it than fighting ggg?