In their prime, Keith Thurman would have been a massive favorite in this fight. However, after a long break from the sport, the intrigue surrounding this matchup has grown.

Thurman, up until 2019, was an undefeated fighter with an excellent jab, powerful strikes, and the ability to deliver diverse attacks from unexpected angles. His loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2019 was surprising, as it resulted from a combination of overconfidence and Pacquiao’s brilliance in his final years.

Brock Jarvis, on paper, is a favorable opponent for Thurman. He relies on his power, strong punches, and athleticism, but also makes mistakes in his attack, which often gives opponents the chance to exploit his errors.

There is a clear experience gap between the two. Thurman is a former champion with significant accomplishments, including wins over top fighters like Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, Jose Lopez, and Mario Barrios.

Jarvis, at 27, is much younger, with his biggest opponent being Liam Paro, who knocked him out in the first round.

Age plays a significant role here, as Thurman is 36, and an active, younger opponent always has more chances against an aging boxer, provided his own skills hold up.

Williams relies on combinations, staying busy in close and mid-range. He keeps a fast pace, delivering a constant stream of punches. Thurman, however, has longer pauses in his attacks, waiting to capitalize on openings.

Jarvis, when he attacks, does so aggressively and with power, though he can be predictable at times. Thurman, though, tends to use shorter combinations, mixing it up between aggression and letting the opponent come forward, only to counter.

Thurman has been inactive since 2022, and prior to that, he had a long break from 2019, after his loss to Pacquiao. He only fought once in 2022, beating Mario Barrios but then went silent again.

In contrast, Jarvis has been more consistent with two fights per year in 2022 and 2023, both resulting in wins.

Both fighters are known for their power.

Jarvis is very athletic and has over 90% knockouts in his career. However, his power has been largely untested against top-level opposition. Thurman has always been a powerful puncher, capable of putting opponents to sleep. But at 36, after nearly three years off, it’s unclear if his punch will still have the same impact.

Thurman has never been stopped, even after facing opponents like Pacquiao, Porter, and Garcia. Though he was knocked down by Pacquiao, he managed to survive and fight until the final bell.

Jarvis, however, was knocked out in the first round by Liam Paro, a solid but not elite puncher. If Thurman starts landing cleanly, it will be interesting to see how Jarvis reacts.

Thurman is the star, but this fight takes place in the U.S., giving Jarvis home advantage. However, this won’t likely be a massive factor for Jarvis, as Thurman has fought under much higher pressure before. Jet lag and climate adjustments could play a role in Thurman’s performance.

Thurman has had multiple comebacks already, but this will likely be his last. He is highly motivated to make a statement before he’s out of the sport for good.

His main goal is to win impressively and possibly set up a title shot against Tim Tszyu, who will be fighting on the same night. Both fighters are coming off difficult times, with Thurman having struggled to return to form and Tszyu losing two straight fights.

For Jarvis, this victory would propel him into the spotlight. With his power, youth, and motivation, he could make a name for himself. But the real question remains: can he overcome Thurman’s experience and skill?

This matchup comes down to whether Jarvis can capitalize on Thurman’s age and inactivity. If Jarvis lands clean, he could turn the tide quickly. But if Thurman can showcase his sharpness, his experience will likely make the difference.