Thurman expected to return late January!
There is a possibility that Super WBA Welterweight champion Keith Thurman (28-0, 22KOs) may return against Josesito Lopez (36-7, 19KOs). A date is set, however, given recent inconsistencies of when the champion will return, it is listed as a “possibility”.
The 29 year-old former unified champion has been inactive for almost two years. Injuries have plagued his career going back to 2016, however, this would be the longest he has gone without a fight. He even had to drop the WBC welterweight title while being placed as champion in recess.
His initial scheduled had been set in October against former WBO champion Jessie Vargas got. However, the bout was cancelled for undisclosed reasons.
All of these events lead to believe that we may have seen the last of him. Therefore, this news is a sliver of hope that he can return to form.
When focused, Thurman is easily one of the best welterweights in the division! Couple this with the emergence of IBF and WBO champions Errol Spence and Terence Crawford and you have a division filled with mouth-watering match-ups.
However, we can’t jump the gun. Lopez has plenty of experience that could upset the champion if he isn’t at 100%. He made a good account of himself in bouts with Jessie Vargas, Marcos Maidana, Andre Berto, Victor Ortiz and Saul Alvarez.
Thurman’s return will be highly anticipated as part of the January 26 PBC on Fox 2019 schedule since he last fought Danny Garcia in March of 2017.
By: Garrisson Bland
