Boxing: Brock Jarvis set to take on former two-time champion Keith Thurman in Sydney super fight
In just his second fight back after an 18-month lay-off, Sydney boxer Brock Jarvis will lay it all on the line in one of Australian boxing’s biggest gambles.
This will be the greatest gamble in Australian boxing history.
In just his second fight back after an 18-month lay-off, Sydney boxer Brock Jarvis has agreed to a Sydney super-fight against American Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman, a former unified lightweight world champion whose only loss was a split decision against legendary Manny Pacquiao.
It shows unbelievable bravery from Jarvis, who is aware victory could propel him back inside boxing’s elite.
Over a 30-fight career, Thurman has defeated Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, Luis Collazo, and Robert Guerrero, recording 22 knockouts.
The fight will be staged on Wednesday, March 12, at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion and be formally announced by No Limit at a virtual press conference on Wednesday at Fox Studios in Artarmon.
Ironically, Jarvis’ trainer, hall of famer Jeff Fenech, won the first of his four world titles at the famous Hordern back in 1985.
“We trained on Monday and it was the first since my heart operation (last year) that I put the chest pad on and Brock punched the shit out of me,” Fenech said.
Jarvis, 22-1, returned to boxing in December and secured a powerful fourth-round TKO win over Adrian Rodriguez.
Boxing judges are rating this the biggest fight in Sydney since Tim Tszyu became world champion with victory over Tony Harrison in 2023.
Florida-born Thurman, 36, was supposed to fight Tszyu at super welterweight in Las Vegas last year but withdrew injured.
Fenech and Jarvis watched video of Thurman’s fights, including the Pacquiao bout, on Monday.
Jarvis refuses to concede the fight is a gamble, boldly declaring: “It’s not a gamble, mate. I will win because I’m the better fighter”.
“I’m very confident going into this fight and I’m solid mentally. I believe in my preparation and that will show on fight night. Keith is getting older now and this is perfect timing for me,” he said.
A former WBA and WBA champion, Thurman is a two-time world champion who unified the welterweight division between 2016 and 2018.
Jarvis and Thurman will likely fight at 70kgs.
Thurman possesses a vicious one-punch KO with his only loss coming via a controversial split decision to Pacquiao in 2019.
Jarvis remains one of Australia’s premier fighters with Fenech saying: “We watched videos of Thurman and we have worked on a lot of things.
“Brock hasn’t back in sparring and if does things right, he can beat anybody. It’s my job to make Brock the best fighter he can be mentally and physically – and that’s what I am doing.
“Thurman’s record speaks for itself. Look at the guys he’s beaten – Shawn Porter. Danny Garcia, he’s beaten everybody. He’s a very skilful fighter. This will be more of a mental fight than physical fight for Brock.
“Brock will give himself every opportunity and he has a lot of self-belief. He will work hard – nothing will be given to him. This is a massive fight and I want to be there for Brock.”
Thurman’s rapid rise to the top of the powerful welterweight division saw him become one of the world’s best boxers.
The fight will be broadcast exclusively on Fox Sports and Kayo in Australia. Tickets will go on sale via Ticketek with fans encouraged to register at NoLimitBoxing.com.au for pre-sale access.
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