Keith Thurman warns he’ll be watching Aussie referees ahead of Brock Jarvis showdown

Keith Thurman has questions about Australia’s boxing officials after watching Brock Jarvis’ win over Adrian Rodriguez last year. Find out why the American is concerned.

Former world champion Keith Thurman has taken aim at Australian boxing officials ahead of his pay-per-view blockbuster with Brock Jarvis on March 12.

The slick American fighter has also weighed into the drama surrounding Jarvis’ relationship with Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech, while hitting back at the Aussie’s prediction of an early knockout.

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

The 36-year-old Thurman jetted into Sydney on Friday morning, before completing media duties with Jarvis and getting in a bit of sightseeing.

“I’m a Florida boy, so I like the warm weather, the boats and water,” Thurman told this masthead. “It reminds me of a lot of American cities with a mix of this and a mix of that.

“They’ve got that crazy Asian – lots of Asians here in Australia – so there’s a bit of that San Francisco vibe.”

Keith Thurman (L) in commentary with Tim Tszyu on Saturday night. Picture: Supplied

Thurman wasted no time in calling out Tim Tszyu if they both get through their next fights, and also took aim at Aussie referees.

Thurman recalled Jarvis’ one-sided win over Adrian Rodriguez in December.

Jarvis dominated the overmatched Rodriguez, and forced the Queenslander to his knee with a vicious left hook to the liver in the fourth.

Rodriguez was furious when the the fight was immediately waved off instead of the referee starting a count, and could be heard shouting: “I took a knee to have a break, what the f**k?”.

Thurman says he’s never seen anything like it.

“For the first time in my life, you can hear on the video feed the fighter asking the referee, ‘Why did you stop the fight?’,” Thurman told this masthead.

“He did not issue a count. The fighter went down from a body shot and he took a knee. The referee went over and waved it.

“He didn’t look at him and count. He didn’t get an opportunity (to get back up). The man was not knocked out unconscious.

“People in boxing know what a nice body shot does. For people who don’t know, it’s called a delayed reaction.

“Brock Jarvis hit him, you hear the bop! And he takes a step back, tries to breathe, realises there’s no oxygen and he has a delayed reaction.

“Like, bro, where’s the count?

“It’s funny because Brock’s team is celebrating, but on the live feed, in the background you can hear the voice of the fighter say, ‘What the f**k, ref, I took a knee, where’s my count?’”

Jarvis (R) dominated Adrian Rodriguez in December. Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

Thurman has also been kept up to speed on the drama surrounding Jarvis’ fractured relationship with Fenech.

The pair had reunited for the Rodriguez fight, but have since parted ways again, with Jarvis set to be cornered by his dad Dom and former NRL bad boy Curtis Scott.

“I’m getting mixed reviews, some people are telling me he’s with this champion trainer, and now you’re telling me he’s not,” Thurman said. “Let’s just see if he’s going to have someone (in his corner) who’s going to hurt him, or someone who’s going to help him.”

Jarvis originally predicted he’d knock Thurman out in the fifth round, but has since decided on stopping the big-talking American in the third.

Jarvis and Fenech briefly reunited, but have since parted ways again. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

And that’s music to Thurman’s ears.

“He’s gotta talk his talk, but, he’s up against the best opposition he’s ever fought in his life,” he said.

“I could be 45 or 55 and Keith Thurman will still be the best opposition he’s had in his life.

“What I’ve done in the sport of boxing is superior to the competition he’s been ‘victorious over’ and is ‘dominating’.

“Brock Jarvis has not beaten anybody.

“I’m glad he’s talking. I heard Brock doesn’t talk a lot.

“The last time someone predicted they were going to knock me out in the 10th round, and funnily enough I knocked them out in the 10th.

“So, Brock, you might have your prediction, it might be done in three, but it’s me as the victor.”

Originally published as Keith Thurman warns he’ll be watching Aussie referees ahead of Brock Jarvis showdown