Keith Thurman claimed his return to boxing is a gift for the welterweight division as he prepares to meet Mario Barrios.
The pair fight with Barrios moving up from 140lbs to welterweight following last year’s defeat to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis.
33-year-old Thurman has been out of action since 2019 when he lost a split decision to Manny Pacquiao and is starting his comeback with the aim of becoming a world champion once again.
“You know, this is my presidential campaign, baby,” Thurman said at a press conference to promote the fight.
“I am back. Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman is back. The welterweight division is back, ‘cause without me it’s been wack. At the end of the day, I bring the most exciting fights at 147lbs, the most exciting fights.
“Terence Crawford, Errol Spence, Yordenis Ugas. With a belt, without the belt, Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman is the champion of today – period. And that’s the statement I’m making Saturday night.”
Thurman had to undergo surgery on his left wrist following his defeat to Pacquiao, and the recovery period combined with COVID-19 is at the heart of the reason for some of his absence, but that has now stretched beyond two years.