Will Keith Thurman Become PBC's 1st Superstar Fighter?

Hard-hitting welterweight Keith “One Time” Thurman knows the world is on his shoulders. The undefeated 26-year-old from Florida is positioned to become the superstar that Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions series so desperately needs him to be. Because whether boxing is on network television, cable outlets, subscription channels or pay-per-view, the sport is driven by one thing: star power.

Thurman thinks he has it. 

"All I want to do is live up to the hype," Thurman told Bleacher Report. "I'm training diligently every day, implementing new things and working to be a true champion. A lot of people become champions, but a true champion is one that's champion and stays champion for a long duration of time."

Thurman's reference of the mass number of world title belts in boxing is an astute one, if not a bit self-incriminating. He is the WBA regular welterweight champion, which is a notch below the WBA’s super welterweight title currently held by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

But regardless of who wears what trinket given out by whom, Thurman is legitimately an elite-looking welterweight fighter. He’s rated in the top five of the 147-pound division by both the Ring and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. He's a top contender to Mayweather’s lineal championship no matter who you ask.

Well, except for maybe Team Mayweather. According to ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael, Thurman is off the list of potential September opponents, while dubious names like Karim Mayfield and Andre Berto somehow remain.

Credit: Rachel McCarson

Thurman absolutely should be on such a list. Other than Kell Brook, who would also be a viable and credible candidate, One Time is the only undefeated welterweight challenger ranked in the top five by the Ring—something he pointed out when I asked him about a potential Mayweather clash.

Thurman wants the Mayweather fight. He gave the impression, in fact, that he’d sign a contract for it before the ink was even dry.

"It’s definitely a fight I want. I always want to fight the best in the world. I’m currently ranked No. 5 according to Ring Magazine, and I look forward to fighting everyone they have ranked above me to show my worth in the welterweight division."

Still, Thurman spoke as if he knows he has his work cut out for him in getting the fight, even mentioning how Mayweather waited five years to finally fight Manny Pacquiao. So he said his entire focus right now is on defeating Luis Collazo on Saturday in Tampa to showcase his skills to boxing fans who are tuning in to see the inaugural PBC on ESPN show.

He doesn't just want to win the fight, though. He wants to impress. 

Thurman hailed Collazo as a tough-minded veteran, one who has the resume and skill set to help him showcase what he believes he really has: true superstar potential.

"I expect him to bring his best. From what I’ve seen, Collazo is a durable, move-forward fighter. He’s not afraid of anybody."

Collazo was outclassed by the speedy Amir Khan in 2014 but upset Victor Ortiz by stunning Round 2 knockout one fight prior. The 34-year-old southpaw is probably on his last legs as a top-flight contender, so Thurman’s job on Saturday will be to ruthlessly convince Collazo of it while simultaneously wowing the television audience.

Thurman said he will be ready for anything on fight night.

"I expect him to try to do some veteran moves, possibly even try to hold me...whatever he can do to stay in the fight, and I’ll be doing my best to figure out his strategy and not allow those things to occur. I plan on digging to his body, testing his body early in the fight. And I’ll be looking for the knockout each and every round."

Thurman has power in both hands. He said he had to wear 18-ounce gloves during training camps to protect his sparring partners—a brag that is only bolstered by footage of the prizefights for which they help him prepare. Thurman has knocked out 21 of 25 opponents, and he hurt the other four bad enough to leave them genuinely disinterested in putting themselves in harm’s way.

Credit: Rachel McCarson

But he has more than just power. He has fast feet and is a skilled boxer too. He knows how and when to throw his jab and has good balance. Furthermore, his innate ability to adjust to what happens in front of him on fight night should help him stay active and successful for years to come.

In fact, it’s easy to see why he keeps headlining PBC cards. In the inaugural edition of PBC on NBC, Thurman dominated the durable Robert Guerrero in a fan-friendly, action-packed slugfest. It was a typical Thurman bout, one fought with great skill and destructive power.

He sees his work right now as a steppingstone to bigger and better things. And if he achieves his mission of becoming a legitimate crossover star, his success can only help PBC gain the foothold among casual sports fans that Haymon and his investors need for their brave venture to become a success.

"I’m truly blessed that Al keeps using me to headline these PBC events and to kick off these shows for these new networks. I’m really happy about where boxing is headed. We’re trying to bring boxing back, and I’m looking forward to being champion for a very long time."

Thurman said bringing boxing back to casual sports fans—the kind who are more likely to turn on regular cable television channels than subscribe to HBO and Showtime—was imperative for the sport's future.

"Getting boxing back on normal network and cable television [channels] is a big step in the right direction. The average household has basic cable, and then they have to reach back into their pocket if they want to subscribe to HBO and Showtime. You know, at the start of HBO, I think it was a beautiful thing for boxing, but over the years it’s been challenging only due to the fact that the average sports fan gets hockey, football, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf—there’s just an array of sports that they have at their disposal on normal network television."

Essentially, Thurman thinks boxing shot itself in the foot in regard to building new fans and gaining traction among mainstream sports-watchers by concentrating on subscription-based platforms.

"So it discourages a lot of people, especially the average hardworking American, to dig deep for that extra money to simply add one more sport for their viewing. So I think PBC is a great thing for the sport. I’m happy to be opening up the show. I’m excited about it. And I’m looking forward to having a tremendous performance July 11."

Thurman isn’t a shoo-in to become the next Mayweather. He’s not even certain to become the next Tim Bradley. But he has the skill level, the promotional backing and fistic aptitude to climb as high on the boxing ladder as possible. His future is bright, and if he can accomplish what he sets out to do, PBC could well have its first superstar fighter.

"I’m looking forward to stepping up to the challenge, and the challenge that I see at this point is that a lot of people do like Keith Thurman, a lot of people are excited about Keith Thurman...I’m getting a lot of good press and good momentum in my career. I think we’re coming to the point of no return with me where I’m just going up and up and up. And I’m going to be establishing greater fame throughout this year and years to go."

Eric Jamison/Associated Press

And what does such a man look forward to the most? A view into such can be quite telling. Is it the fame? Is it riches? Is it establishing a legacy no one will ever forget?

"I’m just looking forward to the journey," said Thurman as our call came to an end.  

Boxing is a simple sport. Distractions have no place in a fighter’s life. If Thurman can stay as focused on the task at hand as he claims, you should count on him maximizing his great potential.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand. Kelsey McCarson is a TBRB member.