Keith “One-Time” Thurman, one of boxing’s premier knockout artists, wasn’t able to finish 40-year-old Leonard Bundu Saturday night. He earned boos from the crowd for his patient, cautious victory, but shut out Bundu on the scorecards.
While the fight may not have been the electric slugfest Thurman fans have become accustomed to, it may have opened doors for bigger fights. Thurman being unable to stop a 40-year-old fighter could embolden bigger names to finally step in the ring with Thurman, who has been calling out anyone in the Top 10 in the welterweight division all year.
The top name on Thurman’s list right now is Marcos “El Chino” Maidana, who is coming off back-to-back losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr. In an interview with The Boxing Channel Thurman said Maidana indicated a willingness to scrap.
“After I was done with my bout and I was watching a little bit of the Khan fight Maidana was right there, and he said ‘Let’s go,’” Thurman said. “So hopefully, that is something that can be very likely next year.”
Immediately after beating Bundu in a different interview with Showtime, Thurman was more forceful about calling for El Chino. “We want Maidana,” Thurman said while letting it be known he’d step in with any Top 10 welterweight.
“We’d like Maidana. He’s a power puncher, he was here tonight. He saw what I can do, I don’t know if he liked it or not. I’d fight anyone in the Top 10. I’d fight Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, I’ll fight the winner of Khan-Devon Alexander, that would be a terrific fight. So we have many options.”
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