WBA/WBC welterweight titlist Keith Thurman is on the mend for the next 4-6 months after undergoing right elbow surgery.
Thurman suffered the injury during his split decision win over Danny Garcia in March. Doctors removed calcium deposits and have prescribed rehabilitation. Although Thurman wants to return for a second bout in 2017, he recognizes the importance of a gradual recovery.
“I had loose bodies in the elbow, similar to what baseball pitchers have. They had to go in and take out the loose bodies and calcium deposits,” Thurman said. “It was getting in the way of the hinging of the elbow and when I threw a punch. It was causing pain and inflammation. I noticed it before the Danny Garcia fight. There was no way to get rid of it without the surgery. I’m healing and getting the function back so that I can be pain free.This is just the real struggle of an athlete,” he said. “It’s not always
This is just the real struggle of an athlete. It’s not always picture perfect. It happens in every sport and that’s because we demand a lot from our bodies and ourselves. It has repercussions. Cars break down. We get them fixed and put them back on the road. We’re looking forward to getting back into the ring and giving you another fight before the year is out.”
Thurman is not without options upon his return. Rival Shawn Porter is now the #1 contender for Thurman’s WBC title after a dominating TKO over Andre Berto last month. WBO titlist Manny Pacquiao, who Thurman has expressed interest in facing, represents another unification opportunity. And many fans are hopeful for Thurman to challenge the winner of Errol Spence and Kell Brook, who face off next Saturday in Sheffield for the IBF strap.
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