‘Pathetic as f**k’: Wild scenes as Keith Thurman and Brock Jarvis separated following Liam Paro knockout sledge

Things nearly got underway five days early as Keith Thurman and Brock Jarvis went face-to-face following a sledge about another Aussie boxing star.

Brock Jarvis and Keith Thurman had to be separated after a wild confrontation at Friday’s open workouts, as Queensland’s Liam Paro and a pair of five-toe shoes have emerged as shock main characters in the increasingly heated feud.

Paro is the only man to ever beat Jarvis, knocking out the Sydneysider in stunning fashion in 2022.

The brutal loss has been a talking point for Thurman since the loudmouthed American landed in Australia a week ago, and one comment nearly saw the action get underway five days early.

Thurman vs. Jarvis | WED 12 MARCH 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Brock Jarvis will take on former Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman in a blockbuster event at the Hordern Pavilion | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

“Glove this bitch up right now,” Thurman shouted at Jarvis, who was standing on the edge of the ring taking pot-shots at “One Time’s” unique choice of minimalist shoes.

“I’ll knock you out in these five-toed shoes. You gotta spread the toes out, baby,” Thurman continued.

“You’ve been pathetic. Your performance against Liam was pathetic as f**k.

“Look at your shitty ass highlight reel, bitch. You’re gonna get laid the f**k out. You’re an appetiser, you’re light work.”

READ MORE: ‘I’m coming to you’: Thurman officially calls out Tszyu

Getting up close and personal. Picture: No Limit

A seething Jarvis needed to be yanked off the side of the ring by George Rose to avoid an early punch-on.

If Thurman beats Jarvis on Wednesday and Tim Tszyu gets past Joey Spencer on April 6, the pair have been pencilled in for a long-awaited blockbuster meeting in July on the Gold Coast.

But, after repeatedly finding himself in the middle of the Thurman-Jarvis rivalry, Paro has finally hit back, calling out Thurman for a fight later in the year.

“He’s brought up my name a lot, and he said the only time Brock has stepped up, he couldn’t make it out of the first round,” Paro told this masthead.

“I believe that puts pressure on him.

“If he doesn’t get him out in the first round, what does that say?

“If he does beat him, I believe we’d have something to settle.

“I think we could meet at 147 (welterweight). He’s a great fighter, a great champion and I’d love to have a fighter like that on my resume.”

READ MORE: Knockout coup as Paro inks deal to join forces with Tszyu

Jarvis has zeroed in on Thurman's "old man" shoes. Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

Jarvis pauses his workout to yell at Thurman. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Paro was at the centre of another tense moment this week when Thurman and Jarvis met face-to-face for the first time for a promo shoot.

Their encounter was filled with the usual fight week bluster, before Thurman once again reminded Jarvis of his stunning knockout loss to Paro.

“I still remember how you were sideways on the floor,” he said. “I’m worried about your chin.

“Don’t go to sleep, stand up tall, stand up strong.

“I’m going to give you a flashback. You might need therapy after this one – don’t be ashamed.”

Paro (R) celebrates his brutal knockout win over Jarvis (L). Picture: Russell Freeman/Getty Images

Thurman and Jarvis went at each other again at Friday’s open workouts, with the pair hurling expletive-filled insults at each other as Jarvis worked out.

Jarvis repeatedly called Thurman old and slow, while taking pot-shots at his lightweight Vibram five-toe shoes.

A shirtless Jarvis then spent Thurman’s entire warm-up trash-talking ‘One Time’ from outside the ropes.

Jarvis laughed off the Paro sledge though and is adamant the defeat doesn’t weigh on his mind.

“It means nothing to me,” he said. “That’s a long time ago, it was three weight divisions lighter than what I’m coming in at here.

“I’m a different fighter now.”

After weeks of speculation, Jarvis has finally confirmed that Jeff Fenech won’t be in his corner on fight night.

Instead, Brock’s dad Dom, brother Levi and former NRL bad boy Scott will be in his corner, sparking concerns about the level of advice he will receive in the biggest fight of his life.

Curtis Scott holding pads for Brock Jarvis. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Scott has emerged as Jarvis’ unofficial trainer, holding pads for the 27-year-old at the open workouts.

“Jeff’s not in my corner, I’ve got my team, a small circle around me now,” Jarvis said. “Everyone’s there for my benefit, and I’m ready.”

Jarvis also clapped back at Thurman’s suggestions he was getting under his skin.

“He thinks he’s under my skin? It’s f***ing ridiculous,” he said. “He’s carrying on stupidly, that’s it.

“He’s very worried, and very scared. I sense fear.

“I’m looking for a knockout to the head.”

Paro, who is eyeing up a possible return when No Limit holds a pay-per-view show in Cairns on June 11, said Thurman should be too much for Jarvis on March 12.

“I wish (Brock) all the best, I’ll back the Aussie any time even though me and Brock have our history,” he said. “I hope he gets the job done, but on paper, Thurman should get it done pretty comfortably.

“Everyone knows how Brock fights, he’s a come forward fighter and it just depends on if Thurman’s put in the hard yards.”

Originally published as ‘Pathetic as f**k’: Wild scenes as Keith Thurman and Brock Jarvis separated following Liam Paro knockout sledge