Keith Thurman's most impressive run in the welterweight division came during the mid-2010s, culminating with an undefeated record until his super fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2019. Thurman was outdueled by Pacquiao, although he was ten years younger than the boxing legend, and he has only fought once since then. It's been four years since Thurman and Pacquiao weighed in for their bout at 147. Pacquiao has retired, and Thurman no longer ranks in the top 10 in the welterweight division or the junior middleweight division (154 lbs), but that hasn't stopped Claressa Shields from calling him out with an opportunity that has the potential to revolutionize boxing while also presenting them both with a significant payday.
Claressa Shields, the current WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and WBO middleweight world champion, recently took to Twitter with the bold proclamation that she'd be willing to move down from 165 to 154 pounds and cross the gender barrier in boxing so that she could form a super bout with Thurman. Technically, an officially sanctioned fight between a man and a woman would violate the rules of the World Boxing Council. But, so far, none of Shields' female contemporaries have been able to put a blemish on her perfect record in the ring. The WBC is already making some modifications to their bylaws to include transgender fighters, so perhaps an inter-gender fight isn't out of the realm of possibility. Shortly after Shields stated her interest, Thurman accepted the challenge.
“Well, look, I can fight for any charity event, okay?" Thurman said when asked about the comments made by Shields. "We can raise money, and we can let you try to showcase your skills and talent. I probably use my jab only, you know…It’s just that this is not what boxing is to me.”
According to reports, Sheilds has already begun training for the fight.
Source: Daily Mail
