Winner of Keith Thurman-Brock Jarvis showdown on a collision course with the Tszyu bros
In a major fight week development, deals are already in place for beyond this Wednesday night’s USA vs. Australia blockbuster fight.
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The winner of Wednesday’s boxing main event between Keith Thurman and Brock Jarvis is on a collision course with a Tszyu brother later in the year.
Deals are already in place for Thurman to face Tim Tszyu – most likely on the Gold Coast in July – if he wins his first fight in three years.
Meanwhile Jarvis will face Tim’s younger brother Nikita if he can score a major boilover at the Hordern Pavilion and topple former two-time welterweight world champion Thurman.
Thurman was just 10 days away from fighting Tszyu last March before injury ruled him out.
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
As first reported by this masthead, Thurman says the only reason he is in Australia now is to book a date with “the big kangaroo” Tim Tszyu.
“Why did Keith Thurman really come down to Australia? It’s to hunt down Tim Tszyu,” said Thurman, who tipped the scales at 69.76kg on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s to remind him that I never forgot that contract that I signed.
“I’ll be more than willing, more than happy to be a dance partner and to complete the contract that once was and that can still be manifested this year.”
After two losses in 2024 though, Thurman says it’s not a sure thing, with Tszyu fighting Joey Spencer in April.
“Tim Tszyu needs to get a victory after his two losses,” he said. “It’s a fight we can make happen, but there are more fights in the world for me in the light middleweight division.
“But I’m looking forward to potentially coming back for the Tszyu fight.”
Tszyu has banned his inner circle from talking about future fights but told this masthead: “Sign the contract, big boy” when asked about a potential Thurman showdown.
Meanwhile, Jarvis and Nikita Tszyu have history dating back to comments the younger Tszyu brother made about “kicking his ass” in sparring.
Jarvis wouldn’t talk about a fight against Nikita on Tuesday, instead taking aim at Thurman’s appearance in his first fight at super-welterweight.
“He just looks like a small, sloppy individual,” said Jarvis who weighed in at 69.74kg. “He looks like garbage to me, but I pay no attention to it.
“I’m just focused on Keith Thurman tomorrow night, and whatever comes after that, it is what it is.”
Nikita hasn’t fought since getting surgery on his hand following his Fight of the Year win over Koen Mazoudier in August.
He’s been back in the gym though, and said appearing on No Limit’s planned June 11 fight night in Cairns would make a perfect comeback.
“It’ll be nice to fight in a new place, reach a new group of people,” he said. “Cairns, I’ve never been there before. It’s one of the only places my amateur career didn’t take me to.
“There’s crocodiles there though. It’s deadly.
“(Recovering from surgery) has just been taking longer than we anticipated. We don’t have any set dates on when it will be fully ready. But we’re getting there. It’s getting close.”
Thurman and Jarvis once again exchanged angry words during their face-off after every fighter on the 10-bout card successfully made weight on Tuesday.
Injured Rabbitohs NRL star Latrell Mitchell was onstage for the weigh-ins, and is tipping Jarvis for a monumental upset.
“Thurman’s a character and he’s got something to prove,” Mitchell said. “There’s animosity there, it should be a good fight.
“Thurman is good for the sport, he’s got the chat and the character, but Brocky Jarvis for the knockout I reckon.”
Jarvis’ preparation was nearly sidetracked after his highly publicised falling out with trainer Jeff Fenech.
Fenech was at Tuesday’s weigh-ins, and was spotted in conversation with Thurman, before nearly breaking down in tears speaking about his messy split with Jarvis.
“It’s tough just standing here, not with the team … I don’t know what to say,” he said as his eyes welled up.
“It’s been hard.
“I’m pretty adamant that Brock feels he doesn’t need me, so I’ll just leave it at that.”
Fenech remained hopeful the relationship can still be repaired.
“That’s up to them, but I love him like my own son,” he said. “Brock’s in the ring now, and the most important job in the world – my job – is when he comes at sits down, to tell him what I think.
“I just hope he’s got the right people who can tell him that.
“There’s not that many people who think Brock can win, but I believe he can.”
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