Keith Thurman knows that he lost fair and square to Manny Pacquiao and now he is somehow ruing why there was no rematch clause. As most know. Thurman lost via split decision to Pacquiao on July 20, 2019, and there was no controversy on the result. A Thurman rematch was initially suggested by Team Pacquiao thumbed it down.
According to MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons, Thurman had his chance. The result had no controversy and that is time to move on. The results were on point and holding a rematch made no sense, ABS-CBN News reported.
"There was no controversy outside," he said. "I don't blame Keith. Keith would like to have a rematch because it was a quality fight, but there was no controversy at the end of the day on who won that fight."
Part of the reason why Thurman lost was of his own doing. He admits that there was a point where he relaxed a bit and that proved to be his downfall. Still, he is hoping to be in play for Team Pacquiao as far as the Pac-Man's next opponent.
“I also believe I deserve the rematch being an undefeated champion at the time. There wasn’t a (rematch clause), but that’s what I’m looking forward to. This gives me time to be prepared, to line up and be in sync with his future date,” Thurman said via Boxingscene.com.
Thurman's rant may get nowhere with Team Pacquiao opting to look at other fighters. Among the names include Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia and of course, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Errol Spence and Terence Crawford could also be in consideration but nothing has been finalized. With the COVID-19 forcing boxing into pause mode, Pacquiao's next opponent may depend on when the coronavirus pandemic dies down.
As for Thurman, it never hurts to dream. But he also needs to wake up to reality. This means he should take aim at other boxers in the division. Among the worthy adversaries, he may want to look into are Crawford and Spence. But seeing how he is coming off a loss to Pacquiao, the chances of either signing a contract to face him are also not that good.
Thurman is coming off surgery to repair seven months ago to fuse bones in his left hand. The COVID-19 lull could help him recover better before returning to the ring. Anything can happen moving forward but the only thing certain is that his next opponent is unlikely to be Manny Pacquiao.
