One of the brightest American prospects in boxing today is Keith Thurman. The 22-year-old Clearwater-based junior middleweight has a record of 15-0 with 14 KO’s. I first learned about this hard-hitting phenom eight years ago after he sparred with a prospect that my friend Mike Onello trained.
Thurman, who is renowned as a very powerful puncher though lacking in finesse and boxing skills, should benefit greatly from the experience his new trainer Dan Birmingham. Birmingham is best known for his long association with the great champion Ronald Winky Wright.
Thurman’s last fight was last November at the MGM Grand, where he stopped Favio Medina (23-3-3, 8 KO’s) in the fourth round with a left hook.
Word around the Florida grapevine have it that Thurman has held his own in sparring with the likes of Matt Korobev, Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright, heavyweight Lenroy Thomas and Andre Berto. Rumor also has it Thurman knocked out Berto cold in sparring years ago.
Said Birmingham about Thurman in a Tampa newspaper: “As long as he trains hard and lives right and dedicates himself, he’s going to be a star. I don’t think he can miss. It’s still a tough road but I think he’s getting there.”