Keith Thurman Frustrated At Ugas Facing Spence Jr. As He Says That Is His Fight

Keith Thurman believes he should be the one fighting Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday.

Thurman fought Manny Pacquiao back in July of 2019 where he lost by split decision. If he won that fight, he knows he would be the one that is facing Spence Jr. on Saturday night and not Yordenis Ugas. After Pacquiao beat Thurman, he was booked to fight Spence Jr., but Spence Jr. was forced out of the fight and Ugas stepped up and beat Pacquiao to get this fight which is why Thurman is mad.

“If Ugas and Spence are to fight, it’s frustrating,” Thurman said in a video published by Premier Boxing Champions (h/t Boxingscene). “Because one of the only reasons why any of that has manifested is because Thurman has lost to Manny Pacquiao back in the summer of 2019. None of this would have been able to manifest with a victory over Manny Pacquiao…

“Manny Pacquiao comes back, loses to Ugas, last minute placement, but it wasn’t a good fight stylistically. Ugas is a very big welterweight. He had that long reach. He’s a Cuban fighter. Stylistically it wasn’t a good matchup, but Manny wanted to put on a show for the fans and he stepped away from the sport of boxing,” Thurman later added. “But now Ugas is in a better position, holding onto the WBA title that I once had, getting a fight with Spence which should be my fight.”

Keith Thurman ended up returning to the win column last time out as he beat Mario Berrios on February 5. For the 33-year-old he says he wants to return again this year and prove he belongs in the title picture.

“So that’s why it’s very important for Thurman to come back this year,” Thurman said. “It’s very important to come back strong so I can make a statement and show them, with or without a belt, I’m one of the greatest welterweights in the welterweight division today.” 

Who would you like to see Keith Thurman fight next?