Whether Thurman has gone rusty after Manny beats him will be seen when the fight between Spence and Thurman happens. I think the fight against Barrios is enough to awaken the and repolish his boxing skills. Though many favors Spence, I think I'll go with the underdog this time. With the punching power of Thurman, upset is very possible.
Thurman proved that he is still here, Pacman beat him but it was a close decision, and we saw very well that the fight was very close and that Thurman could also win that fight if the judges will give him the win. One loss does not make Thurman a bad boxers, especially that the defeat was against a hall of famer.
Yes, and maybe Thurman's greatness is yet about to start and Spence will be just a stepping stone, we don't know. But that experience he had from Manny Pacquiao helped him to be a much more experienced boxer now, he may be inactive for quite some time after his defeat but now his looking forward to grab his 2nd win since he returned in the limelight.
Thurman still got the good form and his fighting skills still showing from his recent fight, the chance of upsetting Spence is not by far, Thurman only needs to work out and train harder, just like how other fighters, adding more routine with his current trainings and drills will allow him to get a much better shape. His chances to strip Spence will be a good achievement after being beaten by Pacquiao, jus like how it has been described that one is really close. Manny wins with U.D too close that almost been a snatch from Thurman.
That specific defeat he experienced against Manny Pacquaio doesn't make him at a disadvantageous side nor made him a sore loser because just as you said, he was just defeated closely and not that far. In fact, that helped him a lot and grow into what he is now. This future fight is good to see because it's very unpredictable to know who have the higher hand and who does have the advantages. Some may say that Spence have it but not really, I'd say.
Yes, maybe just because he is the current champ, and that's a good reason for bookies to give him the credit of being a favorite but fighting skills wise, I also think that it's not that far between him and Thurman, though we will only see that when they both inside the ring and once they execute their fighting plan and adjust to what the opponent's fighting strategy.
You know what I'll wait on this match? And that is the hype of Thurman and that's the same thing that he has done when he was against Pacman.
It'll bring more hype to this match if he'll do the same marketing as those words that he has said on how confident he is to beat Spence on defending his title.
And when this match is done, is there still possibility that Spence will fight Crawford?
Yes, I think Thurman has still the hype behind his name, although his performance against Barrios is a lot to be question because Barrios is not a legitimate welterweight and he chooses him as his comeback fight. Obviously, he won and then he went on another hiatus.
But this time, for sure Thurman will hype this fight like he did against Manny Pacquiao. He is also a gifted "talker". So who knows, maybe he will sell this fight through his mouth again.
Forget about Spence vs Crawford.
Maybe for the sake of money he will do it again, he's great attracting fans with the way he sell his fight..
If the fight will be pushed we will hear more from both camps.
