‘Never had a chance’: Brock Jarvis handed brutal KO loss by Keith Thurman

Aussie boxing hope Brock Jarvis has been taught a brutal lesson in his bout with former unified world champion Keith Thurman in Sydney.

Aussie boxing hope Brock Jarvis suffered a rude wake-up call in a brutal knockout defeat to former world champion Keith Thurman at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.

Thurman, a former unified welterweight world titleholder, was getting back in the ring for the first time in just over three years.

Tszyu vs Spencer | SUN 6 APRIL 11AM AEDT | Tim Tszyu makes his highly anticipated return to the ring as he looks to push himself back into world title contention against Joey Spencer.| Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

But the American showed very little rust in a devastating super welterweight performance on Wednesday night that left Jarvis (22-2 record) on the canvas and surely questioning where to from here.

The 36-year-old Thurman (31-1) was slated to return in a title fight last March against Tim Tszyu in Las Vegas, but was forced to withdraw after a right bicep tear required surgery.

The man whose only career defeat came against the legendary Manny Pacquiao back in 2019 in a split decision loss showed he still has plenty to offer in the sport.

Watch Thurman’s brutal performance in the video player above

Brock Jarvis (left) was dazed and confused on the ropes in his loss to Keith Thurman. Photo: Grant Trouville

No Limit boss George Rose announced at Tuesday’s weigh-in a Thurman victory would lead to a fight against Tim Tszyu next up, provided the Aussie finds a way past undefeated American Joey Spencer in Newcastle on April 6.

A Jarvis triumph would have led to a showdown with Nikita Tszyu (10-0) in his next fight, but apart from a reasonable first round, the Aussie was no match for Thurman.

Asked after the victory about a possible Tim Tszyu fight in the future, Thurman said: “I just raised the bar on you Tszyu.

“This is three years of inactivity. You see what I do. If you want to come back, you gotta come back hard baby.

“Represent Australia. Show them what you got. It ain’t me, but we got another American fighter coming for you boy.

Jarvis had a falling out with trainer Jeff Fenech ahead of the fight. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“American fighters don’t lay down for anyone. Best of luck to Tim Tszyu, I’m looking forward to fighting anybody in the world of boxing.

“If that contract (against Tszyu) manifests, you know what Keith Thurman do. Send the contract, I’ll sign it, I’ll be happy to make the fight happen.”

Speaking on Main Event, boxing great Shawn Porter felt all along Jarvis had no business being in the ring with a fighter of Thurman’s calibre.

Porter, who lost to Thurman in a WBA welterweight world title showdown back in 2016, made a blunt assertion after the one-sided bout.

“(Thurman) handled this very well,” he said.

“The only thing I can imagine the boxing world saying as a whole is ‘this guy never had a chance’.”

Jarvis, who had a falling out with Aussie boxing legend and former trainer Jeff Fenech in the lead-up to this fight, was hoping to demonstrate his world title credentials against the much heralded American.

Jarvis had won consecutive fights following his only previous career loss to date, against Liam Paro in October 2022.

But this was a whole different level, with the 27-year-old Aussie shown exactly where he needs to reach to contend on the world stage.

Fenech was at least spotted in Jarvis’ room after the fight in an indication the duo might be able to repair their relationship.

Thurman landed a big body blow early in the first round in a warning shot before Jarvis ended the round throwing a flurry of punches that left the American covering up.

That was as good as it would get for Jarvis, however, with Thurman quickly getting on top in the second round and then ending the fight with a devastating array of punches in the third.

Thurman (left) in his fight against the legendary Manny Pacquiao back in 2019. Photo: Kohjiro Kinno/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

Despite the loss, Tim Tszyu said on Main Event Jarvis still has a future in the sport.

“I think he’s still a big name in the sport of boxing in Australia,” he said.

“There are plenty of good fights to be made. Nikita is still out there. There are plenty of good names in the Australian divisions.

“I don’t think it’s over and he’s young. He’s got plenty of years ahead.”

Thurman was understandably ecstatic after his long-awaited return, yelling “we’re back” standing on the ropes before busting out some dance moves.

“We know one thing for sure. He’s still got it,” Ben Damon said on Main Event.

“If there were any question marks about those skills, those question marks have been deleted.”

Originally published as ‘Never had a chance’: Brock Jarvis handed brutal KO loss by Keith Thurman