This Is Why Keith Thurman Must Beat Mario Barrios To Raise His Stocks

It is quite evident that Keith Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) is on a mission to regain his grounds in the welterweight division.

The first step towards his goal would be to overwhelm Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs) on February 5.
This is Thurman’s first fight since 2019 when he lost to now-retired Manny Pacquiao, and third since 2017.

The two boxers, who have lost just once in their respective careers, will fight headline on FOX PPV at the Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.

With a one-sided win — which seems unlikely considering how inactive Thurman has been in recent years — he can move to a title shot in the summer against one of the welterweight champions.

It will also serve him hefty paychecks if he gets to share the ring with either WBO titlist Terence Crawford or the winner of the Errol Spence Jr. vs Yordenis Ugas.

American sportswriter Dan Rafael doesn’t sense a fire burning inside the 33-year-old boxer.

Speaking to Chris Mannix on The Volume, he said: “Keith [Thurman] has made a lot of money and won a lot of big fights at this stage of his life.”

“Having got married, traveled the world, and gone to different places. Maybe boxing isn’t a priority for him at this moment and time, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”