‘One Time’ has built a reputation as one of the most fearsome punchers around, amassing a KO ratio of over 80%, and goes into his fight with ex-IBF ruler‘Showtime’ as the favourite to record a 27th career victory.
“I’ve always considered myself a knockout artist. Back to when I was a teenager knocking out grown men in headgear. Ever since then, I’ve been dropping people like a bad habit,” said Thurman.
“I love being a power-puncher. My favorite fighter of all time is Mike Tyson. One of my goals that I set when I was a kid was to have more knockouts than Mike Tyson throughout my career.
“I’m ready for Shawn Porter. We’re going to box harder, box stronger and box better. I will be the better man.”
On improving his standout punch record, Thurman added: “I’m going for the knockout. I’ve stated it before. My hands are itching for a knockout. I’m ‘One Time,’ all the time. That’s my philosophy. Every single time I step into the ring I’m looking for the knockout. We don’t get paid for overtime.
“I want to be the undisputed welterweight champion of the world. That’s my ultimate goal. There have only been so many in the history of boxing. I want to be a part of that history.”
A win for Thurman later this month is expected to set up a unification with two-weight world champion Danny Garcia in the fall, giving the Florida man every chance to add the WBC version to his WBA crown.
