Days before they meet in the main event of a PBC on Fox card from the Barclays Center, Keith Thurman and Josesito Lopez speak to the media.
The two boxers were a part of a media conference call which Fightful participated in before they fight for the WBA welterweight title on January 26. Thurman and Lopez spoke on a variety of topics, including their fight, Thurman's 22-month long absence from boxing, Floyd Mayweather and more!
Below are highlights of the conference call compiled by Fightful's lead boxing writer Carlos Toro.
On the conference call for Saturday's PBC on Fox main event: Keith Thurman vs. Josesito Lopez for the WBA "Super" welterweight title. Lopez is up here first.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Josesito Lopez said he is preparing for the best Keith Thurman on January 26.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Josesito Lopez on what it will take to win his next fight against Keith Thurman: "My power and my will will outshine whatever obstacle" to get the win against on January 26.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Josesito Lopez said he is not counting on Keith Thurman to not be 100 percent healed up for their upcoming WBA welterweight title fight on January 26.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Josesito Lopez said he's ready for every aspect of Keith Thurman and that he doesn't have to jump in on Thurman early in the rounds just because he is dealing with ring rust on Saturday.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
I asked Josesito Lopez if he's taken anything from those past fights against Canelo Alvarez, Andre Berto, Marcos Maidana ahead of his fight against Keith Thurman. Lopez said he's improved since then and added that if you look on those past fights, Lopez was always a step behind.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman, who is defending his WBA welterweight title against Josesito Lopez on January 26, is now on the call. Thurman said he is excited to be back in the ring after 22 months away from boxing.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman said he tried to keep pressing his doctor for a timetable for his return after elbow surgery in 2017. Thurman said after six months was when he realized that it was going to be a long layoff.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman said he suffered an injury on his left hand in 2018 and was getting anxious over returning to the ring.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman said his left hand now needs monitoring throughout his career and is hoping to avoid surgery.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman said his left hand now needs monitoring throughout his career and is hoping to avoid surgery.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman said it was disappointing missing out on two years of his youth due to the multitude of injuries. Added that watching Manny Pacquiao fight at 40 years old gave him some motivation.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
I asked Keith Thurman if he's interested in a fight against Manny Pacquiao since both are WBA welterweight titleholders. Thurman said he would be interested in a fight against Pacquiao, but knows that Pacquiao wants a rematch against Floyd Mayweather and that is the money fight.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
I asked Keith Thurman if he's interested in a fight against Manny Pacquiao since both are WBA welterweight titleholders. Thurman said he would be interested in a fight against Pacquiao, but knows that Pacquiao wants a rematch against Floyd Mayweather and that is the money fight.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman on the new broadcast players investing in boxing: "It's a beautiful time for the sport of boxing and I'm blessed to be at the top. It's a great moment to be a part of this beautiful sport."
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Lots of issues on this Keith Thurman portion of the conference call.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman talks Floyd Mayweather not responding to questions about a Manny Pacquiao rematch and believes Mayweather wants to see a statement and at least $100 million for a fight. Thurman hopes Mayweather stays retired so that he himself can negotiate a fight with Pacquiao.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman on what he's learned during his 22-month layoff: "I learned a little bit about staying in shape... It was a little depressing. I had to tell myself, 'You got to get yourself moving. You got to be a champion again.'"
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman on what he's afraid about his opponent Josesito Lopez this Saturday: "His confidence. He shouldn't have any [laughs]. I want to see where that confidence comes from."
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Keith Thurman said he just wants to have fun, move around the ring, see how much he can mix it up against Josesito Lopez. Added that it's been so long since he's been hit with 8-ounce gloves and there's a lot for fans to look forward to on Fox this Saturday.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) January 22, 2019
Fightful got to speak with Thurman about wanting to fight Manny Pacquiao later in the year and that can be seen in the video at the top of the page. Fightful also spoke with Lopez about the fight against Thurman and that can be seen in the video below.
