By Anthony Ivey – I recently sat down with 2008 Olympic Trials silver medalist Keith “One Time” Thurman (8-0, 8 KO’s) along with his trainer and manager Ben Getty for an exclusive one-on-one interview. Thurman is promoted by Starfight Productions, and his next fight will be on Feb. 13 at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa, Fla. Photo courtesy of Cory Wilcox..
Anthony: Keith, you just completed your first year as a pro. What are your reflections on 2008?
Keith: It was definitely a good year, but I am looking to an even better year in 2009.
Anthony: Any issues with transitioning from amateur to pro?
Keith: None whatsoever. I knocked people out in the amateurs; I’m knockin’ people out in the pros.
Anthony: You developed quite a local following; how do you plan on expanding it?
Keith: Keep fighting, keep winning. I’m hoping to get some out-of-state fights and on TV so the rest of the world can see me.
Anthony: Is there anyone out there in the division you’d specifically like to fight?
Keith: Mike (Andre) Berto. Cotto, Margarito. I like to fight fighters that actually fight.
Ben: That would be a tremendous fight down here, two local Florida fighters fighting for a world title. That would be down the line, but right now we’ll fight a Mike Jones or James De la Rosa.
Anthony: What’s the meaning behind your nickname “One Time”?
Keith: It’s my punching power. That one-time Mike Tyson punch. All it takes is one time. One time for my opponent to make a mistake, and that’s it.
Ben: Since he’s been 7 years old he’s been knocking people out. I’ve been in camps over the last 20 years with guys like Mugabi and Hearns, and never seen anybody punch as hard as Keith, anybody. There isn’t anybody today at 147 that punches as hard as Keith. Once we get on TV and he knocks somebody out, the whole world is gonna know about Keith.
Anthony: Anything you’d like to say in closing, Keith?
Keith: I’d like to thank everyone in the Bay area for coming out and supporting me. Keep an eye out for your boy in 2009.