“Stop these questions,” Thurman told Premier Boxing Champions. “Stop questioning me and who I am and what I’m capable of doing.”
For much of the late 2010s, Thurman was seen as one of the top fighters in the welterweight division after wins over Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter helped him unify titles. Injuries and long layoffs slowed that momentum, and his only loss came against Manny Pacquiao in 2019.
Injuries and long layoffs have slowed his career, and some fans now wonder how much he has left. Thurman believes the narrative ignores what he has already accomplished.
“They can still throw me in the Hall of Fame as it is,” he said. “But something in my heart, something in my gut, something in my soul says the story is not over,” Thurman said.
The upcoming bout against WBC junior middleweight champion Fundora gives Thurman a chance to pursue a second division title and reshape the perception that has followed him throughout the later stages of his career.
Thurman acknowledged that inactivity creates doubt in boxing, but he insists the criticism has gone too far.
“I’ve fought twice in five years,” Thurman said. “Every time they looked at me, all they saw was a question mark. Can he get to the finish line? Is he going to break? Is he at that stage of his career?”
Thurman believes the answer will come when he steps back into the ring against the great champion.
“I know where I belong against the best in the world,” he said. “And I have an opportunity here and now to elevate myself back to world champion status.”
The Fundora-Thurman fight is scheduled for March 28 and will continue to stream Prime Video pay-per-view.
Thurman clearly understands the skepticism surrounding his return. Whether he can shut it up against Fundora is another question entirely.
