Healthy once again, Keith Thurman returns to the ring to face Josesito Lopez

At the peak of his career, Keith Thurman was untouchable. After winning back-to-back fights against Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia, the latter bout winning him the WBC Welterweight Title, reality came crashing down. Now, Thurman is out to show he shouldn’t have been forgotten about.

The 30-year-old Thurman (28-0, 1 NC) enter’s a boxing ring for the first time since 2017 to face Josesito Lopez. Thurman will be defending his WBA Super-Welterweight Title inside the Barclays Center on January 26, 2019.

“I’m extremely excited to step back into the ring,’’ Thurman stated. “It’s a little nerve-wracking considering the time off and because I want to have a tremendous performance. I want to speak more with my hands more than my words and quiet the naysayers who think that Keith Thurman has lost his passion and skills in boxing. I believe I’m the best welterweight in the division and in the world and I hope to showcase that on January 26 with a knockout. The best fights in the welterweight division have involved Keith Thurman and that will continue to be the case. I’m looking forward to having a tremendous year and showing why I’m number one.”

Thurman has 22 wins via knockout, a clear example of the power he possesses. While he can provide some damage, he can also take some. Following his WBC Welterweight Title win, Thurman took time off to heal from injuries. In boxing, any time off could result in other fighters taking advantage. Now, for the first time in two years, Thurman looks to show he is still the top dog. While he no longer has the WBC belt, he will be fighting for a way back up.

Thurman’s return comes at the perfect time for Premier Boxing Champions. With a new FOX deal and the organization working with Brooklyn Boxing, Thurman’s return to boxing only felt fitting in New York, where boxing was king for so many years.

“I speak for boxing fans everywhere when I say we are eagerly anticipating Keith Thurman’s return to the ring,” said CEO of BSE Global Brett Yormark. “He has experienced great success at Barclays Center, so it’s fitting that he will lead off a strong year of BROOKLYN BOXING programming in 2019. I also look forward to seeing local favorite Adam Kownacki, who always comes with a strong contingent of loud fans.”

Thurman faces a tough task as he takes on the 34-year-old Lopez (36-7), a man on a three-fight win streak. Lopez is 6-1 in his last seven fights, the lone loss coming against Andre Berto in 2015. . He is used to ending undefeated streaks; Lopez defeated the former undefeated Miguel Cruz back in April.

Will ring rust play a factor in Thurman’s quest back to the top of the mountain? As is with any combat sports event inside the Barclays Center, anything can happen. With a new mindset mixed with his same skills, Thurman has his eye on the prize. Unfortunately for him, so does Lopez.