CAN “ONE TIME” PROVE HIMSELF A SECOND TIME?: THURMAN ONCE AGAIN IN A SPOTLIGHT BOUT AFTER BATTLING INJURIES
September 25, 2023
Simon Ruvalcaba
@Mister_Boxing
It’s not everyday that a fighter who fought and defeated Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia back-to-back would need to prove himself. For Keith “One Time” Thurman, that is exactly the case in his second fight back from hand injuries that stalled the momentum gained in 2016 and 2017. Tonight, the 30 year old steps in against the living legend and Filipino national treasure Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
For Thurman, it was a combination of factors that led to the mainstream question marks. He had an opportunity, after the Danny Garcia victory, to step up to face Errol Spence although the elbow injury required surgery. It was a famous social media answer where Thurman stated that he wasn’t ready for Spence that got misunderstood as in Thurman’s mind, he had to be 100 percent before stepping in to face Spence. It also didn’t help that through the injury, Keith remained in the spotlight as he attended many fights and made many bold statements to media and fans. At 29-0 he shouldn’t have to prove himself, but moreso prove that he still has what it takes to be at the elite level of the heavily talented Welterweight division.
In just a few hours from now, we will have answers for both Thurman and Pacquiao who is facing not just Thurman, but father time as well.
PUNCHLINE POLL, PREDICTIONS:
Kelly Pavlik: Pacquiao, Going with Pac, even though it’s up in the air, Pac can show his age anytime.
James Dominguez: Pacquiao by 12 rounds.
Simon Ruvalcaba: Thurman squeaks out a close decision. His youth and speed may take over down the stretch of the Championship rounds.
Amy Green: Pacquaio, unanimous decision.
Damon Martinez: Pacquiao, unanimous decision.
Esteban Al Saghani: Thurman by close decision.
About the Editor
Army Veteran and former Professional Boxer Simon Ruvalcaba started boxing at the age of ten and Had a 71 fight amateur career which featured a 139 lbs. 1998 8th U.S. Army Boxing Championship out of Camp Casey, Korea and a spot on the prestigious Army Boxing Team at Fort Hood, TX. After a journeyman pro career of 18 fights, which included sparring sessions with many champions and contenders including Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker, Simon started writing and has contributed to many publications and websites including fighthype.com, pound4pound.com, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Nevada Appeal (Carson City, NV). He has also been the Boxing Instructor for Ken Shamrock and The Lions Den and was MMA and Bareknuckle star Paige VanZant’s first boxing coach!
Born and Raised in South Lake Tahoe, California he now resides in Sun Valley, Nevada and spends as much time as possible with his Sons Gabriel and Oscar! Beyond boxing, Simon is an all around sports fanatic and is passionate about the teams that he roots for. Simon also works as a Sportsbook Supervisor for Caesars Sportsbook in Lake Tahoe.
