"I tell people man, my motto is KO's for life, baby. KO's for life. One Time is the real deal, man. I mean, we put people to sleep for a reason, man. It's power, man. That power is legit, and I'ma keep representing it pretty much 24/7. But, you know, to answer that question: what happens if you can't get the guy out of there? You beat his ass, man. You just beat it out of him," stated undefeated welterweight contender Keith Thurman, who stopped by the FightHype Radio Show to talk about his recent victory over Carlos Quintana, his future plans, and much more. Check it out!
On his performance against Quintana proved...
I think that it showed people that I'm a force to be reckoned with, you know. I put in a hard training camp. I was really focused for the fight. I knew a lot of people respected Carlos and because of people's still lack of knowledge on me, you know, some people were saying that he's going to school the kid, you know, he's just going to outbox the kid and do this, and do that, you know. Like I said, I had a hard training camp and I was really mentally and physically focused for the fight man, and I was able to get that 4th round TKO.
On getting the recognition for his performances...
It's tough, man. The world of boxing is filled with critics. The world of boxing is filled with scared fighters, you know. People who'd just rather go this way instead of that way and all this stuff, man. There's a lot of politics in the game, man, but you just gotta play the game, man and you gotta stay focused and, you know, I'm just rising up to the top, man, one fight at a time. Pretty soon they're going to have to deal with me.
On his preferred weight division...
147 is really the preferred number, you know. We can make it with no problem and, you know, we're definitely, we're still one of the top most devastating punchers at 147, so, you know. I'll fight there as long as I can keep making the weight. I moved up just to make the fight happen, man. You know, I wanted to just make an exciting fight happen and gain more respect in the world of boxing, you know, so I can't guarantee which weight class you're going to see me in next. But, you know, it's just whoever opens up and whatever doors open up, whatever exciting fight we can make we're going to make it.
On the notion that he's a one-trick pony and is only a big puncher...
You pull out whatever tool you need to get the job done, you know. And so, you know, once we start uppin up the competition and I get put into harder fight scenarios, you can see a different side of, you know, Keith Thurman come out.
I'm just getting prepared for all the elites, you know. I mean, you just gotta train hard, you gotta be in top condition, you know. You gotta be able to just have that burst of energy, you know. You gotta be able to come with one combination, step out and come back with another, you know. You just gotta put in that hard work, man, and that's what I've been doing.
On sensing if other fighters fear his punching power...
It was funny because, for the most part, seeing him [Quintana] through the hotel, or whenever, you know, pre-fight conference all that, you know, Quintana had a pretty decent attitude to him. You know, he felt pretty confident about the fight, but as soon as I was in that ring, man, my confidence went through the roof. As soon as my foot touched the mat, I said, "Well this fight's over, because I'm here. This fight's over." I mean, there's only one outcome from here on out. I'm sorry to tell the other dude across the ring, but, you know, he's almost not going to get out alive, you know. I mean, I come in with some bad intentions.
On the skeptics...
I mean, I always like when people have that little opinion, because first off, it is a form of doubt. I tell people, "What makes you think I'm not going to knockout everybody out from here on out?" You know? I tell people man, my motto is KO's for life, baby. KO's for life. One Time is the real deal, man. I mean, we put people to sleep for a reason, man. It's power, man. That power is legit, and I'ma keep representing it pretty much 24/7. But, you know, to answer that question: what happens if you can't get the guy out of there? You beat his ass, man. You just beat it out of him.
I'm not going to waste my energy just trying to get the guy out of there, you know what I mean? I'm gonna make sure I rocked you first. I'ma make sure I sent a signal, you know, to your dome that just shakes you from head to toe, you know. I'm not gonna just flurry, and flurry, and flurry just because, you know, I'm a beast in the ring or whatever. Nah, I'ma set it up and I'm going to knock you out. And when I knock you out, it's gonna be on purpose.
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