Boxing: Errol Spence vs Keith Thurman

[MiliMil]

If you were able to read the before Spence vs Crawford thread, I'm sure you might end up being crazy for the amount of criticism that Spence received there lol. Just friendly advice that don't take those seriously and just try to keep up with the discussion.

The most reason is, Spence seemed to avoid Crawford at all times which I don't believe honestly. In terms of strength, I even pick Spence over Crawford for about a 60% chance of winning. However, boxing fans end up disappointed as the supposed clash between them is almost close to reality last year but still got failed.

Moving forward after that failed negotiation, Crawford was able to secure a TKO win against David Avanesyan last month. On the other hand, Spence got involved again in a car accident, although not that serious, and expected to return to the ring either in April or May but his opponent is still unknown.

I think boxing has become more about profits than the best matchmaking. It's a reason why the UFC has taken over and become more popular.

If you have followed boxing for a while you will know that is how Al Haymon operates. Why do you think Mayweather/Pacquiao took so long to get made?

[Fundamentals Of]

If you were able to read the before Spence vs Crawford thread, I'm sure you might end up being crazy for the amount of criticism that Spence received there lol. Just friendly advice that don't take those seriously and just try to keep up with the discussion.

The most reason is, Spence seemed to avoid Crawford at all times which I don't believe honestly. In terms of strength, I even pick Spence over Crawford for about a 60% chance of winning. However, boxing fans end up disappointed as the supposed clash between them is almost close to reality last year but still got failed.

Moving forward after that failed negotiation, Crawford was able to secure a TKO win against David Avanesyan last month. On the other hand, Spence got involved again in a car accident, although not that serious, and expected to return to the ring either in April or May but his opponent is still unknown.

I think boxing has become more about profits than the best matchmaking. It's a reason why the UFC has taken over and become more popular.

If you have followed boxing for a while you will know that is how Al Haymon operates. Why do you think Mayweather/Pacquiao took so long to get made?

At this point it is possible that the Crawford-Spence dream match is not happening anymore. If it happens a few years from now, it better not happened at all. You mentioned Mayweather-Pacquiao. It happened too late. What remained with the two legends were only the names.

I agree that UFC is really better in matchmaking. All the fighters are under the UFC contract after all, but UFC is really terrible in terms of profit sharing. It is making a lot of money but many of their best fighters are not earning great.

[Sithara007]

I think boxing has become more about profits than the best matchmaking. It's a reason why the UFC has taken over and become more popular.

If you have followed boxing for a while you will know that is how Al Haymon operates. Why do you think Mayweather/Pacquiao took so long to get made?

Boxing was always about profits. None of the other sports can garner $400 million or $500 million in revenues for a 1 hour match. Obviously Al Haymon will support the fight where he can get the maximum revenues. I don't have a problem with massive amounts of revenue being generated in these matches. But sometimes the judges become biased, because they want to ensure that the athlete who attracts the maximum number of fans and thereby largest share of revenues win the match. A perfect example is that of Canelo Álvarez.   

[MiliMil]

Boxing was always about profits. None of the other sports can garner $400 million or $500 million in revenues for a 1 hour match. Obviously Al Haymon will support the fight where he can get the maximum revenues. I don't have a problem with massive amounts of revenue being generated in these matches. But sometimes the judges become biased, because they want to ensure that the athlete who attracts the maximum number of fans and thereby largest share of revenues win the match. A perfect example is that of Canelo Álvarez.   

You can maximise profits whilst also ensuring the best fights are made.

Look at Arum in the 80's and 90's. He made sure fighters received top dollar but still made the best fights. If Haymon  was in charge back then we wouldn't of got fights like Hagler/Hearns, Leonard/Duran, Tyson/Holyfield etc.

[TravelMug]

Boxing was always about profits. None of the other sports can garner $400 million or $500 million in revenues for a 1 hour match. Obviously Al Haymon will support the fight where he can get the maximum revenues. I don't have a problem with massive amounts of revenue being generated in these matches. But sometimes the judges become biased, because they want to ensure that the athlete who attracts the maximum number of fans and thereby largest share of revenues win the match. A perfect example is that of Canelo Álvarez.   

You can maximise profits whilst also ensuring the best fights are made.

Look at Arum in the 80's and 90's. He made sure fighters received top dollar but still made the best fights. If Haymon  was in charge back then we wouldn't of got fights like Hagler/Hearns, Leonard/Duran, Tyson/Holyfield etc.

Yes, and you forget about one important figure as well, Don King, although him and Arum has some disagreements, but you can see that when it's time to put fights that the fans want, they are all down with it and negotiate and sit down and brokered the fight for the sake of making money. That's why many hate Arum, but I think he pave the way for this boxing blockbuster fight. But now it's totally different, boxers want control and then we have entity like PBC and Al Haymon controlling everything at the background and we can say one problem why we don't see fights that we wanted to happen.

[Yaunfitda]

If you were able to read the before Spence vs Crawford thread, I'm sure you might end up being crazy for the amount of criticism that Spence received there lol. Just friendly advice that don't take those seriously and just try to keep up with the discussion.

The most reason is, Spence seemed to avoid Crawford at all times which I don't believe honestly. In terms of strength, I even pick Spence over Crawford for about a 60% chance of winning. However, boxing fans end up disappointed as the supposed clash between them is almost close to reality last year but still got failed.

Moving forward after that failed negotiation, Crawford was able to secure a TKO win against David Avanesyan last month. On the other hand, Spence got involved again in a car accident, although not that serious, and expected to return to the ring either in April or May but his opponent is still unknown.

I think boxing has become more about profits than the best matchmaking. It's a reason why the UFC has taken over and become more popular.

If you have followed boxing for a while you will know that is how Al Haymon operates. Why do you think Mayweather/Pacquiao took so long to get made?

You also have to factor networks as well, that could one reason why it took years for Mayweather vs Pacman to happen, but at least Arum delivered it and become the biggest PPV in history of boxing.

Al Haymon though is very different as compare to Arum, We can hate Top Rank but at least when Arum knows that he will make some money then he will for it. Haymon though wanted all the money for his PBC fighters and doesn't want to fight others on the opposite side like Top Rank fighters, in house money for him or nothing.

[LUCKMCFLY]

This is one of the most expected fights for next year. While Spence is being called out to defend the WSB Title, Thurman will do everything he can to take the title away from Spence. I expect to see a tight fight but believe Spence will defend the title until the end and will not allow Thurman to have an easy job. That said, I believe Spence will hold his title and come up with a win from this fight

For sure this fight will be the greatest fight in 2023 because in this division this two fighters is good and have an unstoppable record. But this fight for sure Spence will be the favorite for gamblers and the fans but this fight will be the best for thurman as they fight for the belt so thurman will do his best to beat spence to claim the belt and a champion as well but spence will do the same.

There are a lot of potential fights in 2023, like Fury vs Usyk for example, that is more exciting as this one. And so we can't be sure that this is the greatest or even considered greatest fight in 2023. But as gamblers, of course, any fight will be our favorite specially if the odds are going to be good and if we are going to bet for the underdog, it will be a big win for us. Let's wait for the official announcement, Spence is ok now after the vehicular incident and Thurman could be just waiting for this fight to be officially offered to him and see what is the numbers or the purse split.

Well, the truth is, I can't deny it, but I would like that Fury vs. Usyk fight to take place, in particular it may not be the best fight of 2023, but I'm sure it will be in great demand, of course both Fury here Like Usyk, they are very emblematic fighters, each one has a very large population of fans and people who are enthusiastic, but between these two I honestly don't know which one to go for, both boxers have great punching power.

If we take into account the explosiveness that Fury has can be used by Usyk, then these are things that sometimes it is not known that he can win, it is a very big clash of forces.

So does it mean that Spence is going to fight Thurman now? or he is gauging what the public opinion is and fortunately it was a hit for those who voted because they want Thurman to be his next opponent.

And it seems that they accepted that he won't be fighting Crawford or Ennis next because of the high risk low reward for him.

So hopefully he has finalized his decision to fight Thurman this April.

Just because Spence posted this poll from his official Twitter account, it doesn't mean that he is going to schedule against the athlete who gets the most number of votes. I posted about the poll, because this is the latest news that we are having regarding the fight. IMO, he just wants to keep up the hype. I am OK with either Crawford or Thurman. But they should make the announcement at least by February. It takes some time to analyze the odds and decide whether to place a bet or not. I don't know much about Ennis, so placing a bet is going to be risky.

Yeah, but it just coincide with the title of this thread? it's supposedly Spence vs Thurman and then the poll shows that his fans want Thurman to be his next opponent. So it's either this fight is off now or the fight is going to happen as the fight fans voted their for Spence to fight Thurman.

And so it will be a disappointment again if Spence will chose other fighters in his April fight. Crawford is out of the picture and as I have said, Ennis is fighting on the undercard of Davis vs Hector Garcia and might not be available in April and then the high risk low reward that we are talking about. Unless if will be mandated by one of his belts that he need to face his mandatory - Ennis next.

If he will find another opponent, then I don't understand boxing anymore.

he should not go anywhere as there's already a clear fight for him that is also competitive and him being the defending champ.
https://www.boxingscene.com/errol-spence-vs-keith-thurman-title-fight-approved-by-wba--170619

Errol Spence vs. Keith Thurman Title Fight Approved By The WBA

What would happen to that? Why is Spence is not accepting challenges on legit opponent that has a big chance of beating him?

Well, have I tried to see or understand what Spence really wants? Some have started to think that he does not accept certain challenges or challenges that make him? The most controversial without a doubt is the one he has against Crawford, Crawford is a boxer who had been preparing very well to fight against him, in fact he won his previous fight, for his part Spence also won his previous fight, but in 2023 It has been shown that Spence now has that as an earring, the fans don't see it very well anymore, they think that maybe Spence doesn't want to fight because of a possible "fear" against Crawford, will he feel that now?

and:

Jaron Ennis studying Mike Tyson, aims to earn Errol Spence fight

Ennis tackles IBF number four Karen Chukhadzhian in the co-main event of a SHOWTIME PPV this Saturday, headlined by Gervonta Davis at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

The double feature in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

A victory for Ennis will put him as the stipulated next challenger to Spence in a contest that could be made this summer.

Spence is returning from another car wreck, hopefully by June. Ennis will have ample time to prepare if he comes through his next test.

Using Tyson as a template, Ennis hopes to bulldoze his way to a first major title.

Source: https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2023/01/02/jaron-ennis-mike-tyson-errol-spence-fight/

[Japinat]

LOL.. a few days back, Errol Spence posted this in Twitter:

https://twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr/status/1608830906516779011

The post only hints that he will be back in the ring by April 2023. But gives no further clue on who will be the challenger and where the fight will take place. Also, the exact date is not given (posted as "April Xx").

And more interestingly, he posted another tweet, in reply to a poll put up by another user on the likely opponent:

https://twitter.com/ErrolSpenceJr/status/1608831449205182474

The results from the poll (3,583 votes till now) are as follows: Thurman- 48%, Crawford- 35.5%, Boots- 9.1%, Stanionis- 7.4%.

So does it mean that Spence is going to fight Thurman now? or he is gauging what the public opinion is and fortunately it was a hit for those who voted because they want Thurman to be his next opponent.

And it seems that they accepted that he won't be fighting Crawford or Ennis next because of the high risk low reward for him.

So hopefully he has finalized his decision to fight Thurman this April.

He's just making the public more confused on his aim and get them hyped by pretending to face any boxer who will get most votes in his poll. Truth is, he is just delaying his fight against Thurman and we should not forget that this is a mandatory fight too, so that means fighting Thurman is almost inevitable in his side except if he goes for Boots or Crawford? We already know the score between them as Spence chances to win are not that strong. Maybe Spence is aiming for the April Fools

Yeah, probably he is trying to mislead the public with this kind of polls and maybe he is weighing what the fans wanted to see for him. And it seems that we have fallen for his trap as the votes goes to Thurman. How quickly though we forget that we all wanted Crawford for him but it seems that the news has died down and we are settled for the next best option and if which there is hype but we all know that Thurman has a long rest and probably have ring rust and that will be advantageous to Spence and that might be his safe fight next in April for all we know.

Let's just forget the Crawford vs Spence unification for now because we already hoped for it but unfortunately, we as the fans haven't got the chance to see the fight because Spence and Al wasn't interested to materialize the fight, it was all a front that they are not afraid but when the time came that they need to decide, they suddenly rejected Crawford the fight with some annoying reasons that doesn't make any sense.

Now, Boots Ennis's name has surfaced that Errol Spence might choose him instead of Keith Thurman. In my opinion, Spence won't risk his status in that fight because Ennis is not an regular boxer and if you've watched some of his fight, you can tell that Spence will have a hard time. In the end, Spence will have to face Thurman because this a mandatory fight.

[Sithara007]

Yes, and you forget about one important figure as well, Don King, although him and Arum has some disagreements, but you can see that when it's time to put fights that the fans want, they are all down with it and negotiate and sit down and brokered the fight for the sake of making money. That's why many hate Arum, but I think he pave the way for this boxing blockbuster fight. But now it's totally different, boxers want control and then we have entity like PBC and Al Haymon controlling everything at the background and we can say one problem why we don't see fights that we wanted to happen.

The problem with boxers controlling everything is that they would select the fighters who are unlikely to defeat them, or even worse they will select the ones who will agree to their revenue sharing formula. I don't have much of an issue with the first issue, but I don't think that the second part should be encouraged. One of the reasons why the third fight between Canelo and Golovkin was delayed for so long, was because Canelo was afraid of losing and he refused to face Golovkin until the latter turned 40 years. This is one consequence when too much power is given to the boxers.

[Shamm]

I think boxing has become more about profits than the best matchmaking. It's a reason why the UFC has taken over and become more popular.

If you have followed boxing for a while you will know that is how Al Haymon operates. Why do you think Mayweather/Pacquiao took so long to get made?

Boxing was always about profits. None of the other sports can garner $400 million or $500 million in revenues for a 1 hour match. Obviously Al Haymon will support the fight where he can get the maximum revenues. I don't have a problem with massive amounts of revenue being generated in these matches. But sometimes the judges become biased, because they want to ensure that the athlete who attracts the maximum number of fans and thereby largest share of revenues win the match. A perfect example is that of Canelo Álvarez.   

Absolutely correct mate boxing is very popular sports in the world and that's the reason why organizer of the event arrange the fight or want a fight that they can earn more money and the best example of that is manny pacman pacquiao vs mayweather as we all know that time manny pacquiao is in his 3rd quarter of his career while mayweather is in his half of his career which is both legendaries boxer fighting for the title and also the catch of the attention of the people is that mayweather is undefeated which means it's a big challenge for pacaman if he gonna win that match but in the end still mayweather is undefeated .

[Baofeng]

Yes, and you forget about one important figure as well, Don King, although him and Arum has some disagreements, but you can see that when it's time to put fights that the fans want, they are all down with it and negotiate and sit down and brokered the fight for the sake of making money. That's why many hate Arum, but I think he pave the way for this boxing blockbuster fight. But now it's totally different, boxers want control and then we have entity like PBC and Al Haymon controlling everything at the background and we can say one problem why we don't see fights that we wanted to happen.

The problem with boxers controlling everything is that they would select the fighters who are unlikely to defeat them, or even worse they will select the ones who will agree to their revenue sharing formula. I don't have much of an issue with the first issue, but I don't think that the second part should be encouraged. One of the reasons why the third fight between Canelo and Golovkin was delayed for so long, was because Canelo was afraid of losing and he refused to face Golovkin until the latter turned 40 years. This is one consequence when too much power is given to the boxers.

And even Floyd too to some extend, he become a free agent, controlling everything and then faces Pacquiao when he had loses against other boxers, in short, they are all soften. And the latest is Canelo Alvarez, avoided Golovkin after their first fight and majority thinks that he lost that one, then their rematch which is very close as well. And took years before the final trilogy wherein we saw Golovkin no longer in his prime. Anyhow, there are a lot good fights that can still presented to Spence if he wanted to, like Ennis and Vergil in he chooses to stay in 147 lbs.

[goinmerry]

Anyhow, there are a lot good fights that can still presented to Spence if he wanted to, like Ennis and Vergil in he chooses to stay in 147 lbs.

No Keith Thurman on your list? Anyways, what's up with him currently?

Let's say Thurman is one of the preferred boxers that Spence's camp wants to face, is he willing to wait for April or May and just remain inactive for about a year now since his last fight against Mario Barrios?

I switch the topic to Keith Thurman as the recent discussion here doesn't involve him lol.

[Baofeng]

Anyhow, there are a lot good fights that can still presented to Spence if he wanted to, like Ennis and Vergil in he chooses to stay in 147 lbs.

No Keith Thurman on your list? Anyways, what's up with him currently?

Let's say Thurman is one of the preferred boxers that Spence's camp wants to face, is he willing to wait for April or May and just remain inactive for about a year now since his last fight against Mario Barrios?

I switch the topic to Keith Thurman as the recent discussion here doesn't involve him lol.

I did not include him because Spence was supposedly schedule to fight him next. I think he is more willing to wait for wait, huge payday for him, instead of fighting tune up which there is a risk. Maybe he can fight someone, but it should be a cherry pick fight for him. He had waited enough though, if the fight push through this April, just barely 3 months from now.

And probably we gave justification as to why Spence want him, he is the #1 rank 147 as per WBC, #3 by WBA, #5 by IBF.

All the belts that Spence had.

[Sithara007]

And even Floyd too to some extend, he become a free agent, controlling everything and then faces Pacquiao when he had loses against other boxers, in short, they are all soften. And the latest is Canelo Alvarez, avoided Golovkin after their first fight and majority thinks that he lost that one, then their rematch which is very close as well. And took years before the final trilogy wherein we saw Golovkin no longer in his prime. Anyhow, there are a lot good fights that can still presented to Spence if he wanted to, like Ennis and Vergil in he chooses to stay in 147 lbs.

To certain extent, if a particular challenger performs exceptionally well then the reigning champion needs to schedule a match against him in order to retain the belts. But that didn't prevented Canelo from skipping the fight against Golovkin during 2019-2021. Anyway I am glad that these mandatory challenges are in place. Else everything will be dictated by either the boxers, or the organizers. Errol Spence Jr. is the unified welterweight world champion, holding IBF, WBC and WBA belts. In order to retain these belts, he needs to take on a challenger by April 2023.

[Yaunfitda]

Speaking of Ennis though, he will be in the undercard of the Tank Davis vs Hector Garcia, so perhaps for some, it will be their first time to see him and tell if he has what it takes to challenge Spence because we have been hearing that he is a risk to Spence at this point and that's why he doesn't want to fight him. So very interesting to see.

I believed though that it will be Kieth Thurman that Spence will chose in his next fight. He is just simply putting hype on it.

[btc_angela]

And even Floyd too to some extend, he become a free agent, controlling everything and then faces Pacquiao when he had loses against other boxers, in short, they are all soften. And the latest is Canelo Alvarez, avoided Golovkin after their first fight and majority thinks that he lost that one, then their rematch which is very close as well. And took years before the final trilogy wherein we saw Golovkin no longer in his prime. Anyhow, there are a lot good fights that can still presented to Spence if he wanted to, like Ennis and Vergil in he chooses to stay in 147 lbs.

To certain extent, if a particular challenger performs exceptionally well then the reigning champion needs to schedule a match against him in order to retain the belts. But that didn't prevented Canelo from skipping the fight against Golovkin during 2019-2021. Anyway I am glad that these mandatory challenges are in place. Else everything will be dictated by either the boxers, or the organizers. Errol Spence Jr. is the unified welterweight world champion, holding IBF, WBC and WBA belts. In order to retain these belts, he needs to take on a challenger by April 2023.

Yes, as long as this organization is still in control of the belts and not the boxers themselves, they can issue their mandatory fight and title eliminators so that only the best  boxers can get their belts.

But the problem is when the boxer held more than one belt, each one has it's own mandatory so he has to go about everyone. But sometimes schedule are not permitted so he either vacate some of the belts that he had. Another good example is Josh Taylor who vacated 3 already and retain one for his fight with Jack Catterall.

[Sithara007]

Yes, as long as this organization is still in control of the belts and not the boxers themselves, they can issue their mandatory fight and title eliminators so that only the best  boxers can get their belts.

But the problem is when the boxer held more than one belt, each one has it's own mandatory so he has to go about everyone. But sometimes schedule are not permitted so he either vacate some of the belts that he had. Another good example is Josh Taylor who vacated 3 already and retain one for his fight with Jack Catterall.

Each system has its own advantages and demerits. The boxing administration is fractured at this point, and we have 4 different world championship groups as a result - World Boxing Organization (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC). The dream of every boxer is to unify the belts, but in some cases (example is that of Josh Taylor that you have mentioned) it becomes impossible to do so. But still, the current system is better than media tycoons such as Al Haymon or Bob Arum dictating who should fight whom.

[Kelvinid]

Yes, as long as this organization is still in control of the belts and not the boxers themselves, they can issue their mandatory fight and title eliminators so that only the best  boxers can get their belts.

But the problem is when the boxer held more than one belt, each one has it's own mandatory so he has to go about everyone. But sometimes schedule are not permitted so he either vacate some of the belts that he had. Another good example is Josh Taylor who vacated 3 already and retain one for his fight with Jack Catterall.

Each system has its own advantages and demerits. The boxing administration is fractured at this point, and we have 4 different world championship groups as a result - World Boxing Organization (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC). The dream of every boxer is to unify the belts, but in some cases (example is that of Josh Taylor that you have mentioned) it becomes impossible to do so. But still, the current system is better than media tycoons such as Al Haymon or Bob Arum dictating who should fight whom.

Exactly, but is there a chance that they will change that system to fully satisfy the fans? I think why boxing is here because it's not only for entertainment but also for us to see and to know who the real warriors are, and the only way we can see who is the best among the best is the unification and undisputed fight.

[Kemarit]

Yes, as long as this organization is still in control of the belts and not the boxers themselves, they can issue their mandatory fight and title eliminators so that only the best  boxers can get their belts.

But the problem is when the boxer held more than one belt, each one has it's own mandatory so he has to go about everyone. But sometimes schedule are not permitted so he either vacate some of the belts that he had. Another good example is Josh Taylor who vacated 3 already and retain one for his fight with Jack Catterall.

Each system has its own advantages and demerits. The boxing administration is fractured at this point, and we have 4 different world championship groups as a result - World Boxing Organization (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC). The dream of every boxer is to unify the belts, but in some cases (example is that of Josh Taylor that you have mentioned) it becomes impossible to do so. But still, the current system is better than media tycoons such as Al Haymon or Bob Arum dictating who should fight whom.

Exactly, but is there a chance that they will change that system to fully satisfy the fans? I think why boxing is here because it's not only for entertainment but also for us to see and to know who the real warriors are, and the only way we can see who is the best among the best is the unification and undisputed fight.

For them? it was just pure business, the business of making money for them, the promoters and the networks. Yeah, you can say that they want to satisfy their fans, but I don't think that is their main goal right now as boxers have evolved as well. In the 80's-90's it was purely for the pride that's why we see a lot of great fights and upsets. But time has change, Floyd becoming "Money Mayweather", started to do his own business makes ton of money. So now boxers specially top tier, wanted millions and if they can't give them that money, then we won't see the mega fight that we wanted, like Spence vs Crawford. And I don't think the system will change, IMHO.

[arwin100]

Yes, as long as this organization is still in control of the belts and not the boxers themselves, they can issue their mandatory fight and title eliminators so that only the best  boxers can get their belts.

But the problem is when the boxer held more than one belt, each one has it's own mandatory so he has to go about everyone. But sometimes schedule are not permitted so he either vacate some of the belts that he had. Another good example is Josh Taylor who vacated 3 already and retain one for his fight with Jack Catterall.

Each system has its own advantages and demerits. The boxing administration is fractured at this point, and we have 4 different world championship groups as a result - World Boxing Organization (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC). The dream of every boxer is to unify the belts, but in some cases (example is that of Josh Taylor that you have mentioned) it becomes impossible to do so. But still, the current system is better than media tycoons such as Al Haymon or Bob Arum dictating who should fight whom.

Exactly, but is there a chance that they will change that system to fully satisfy the fans? I think why boxing is here because it's not only for entertainment but also for us to see and to know who the real warriors are, and the only way we can see who is the best among the best is the unification and undisputed fight.

For them? it was just pure business, the business of making money for them, the promoters and the networks. Yeah, you can say that they want to satisfy their fans, but I don't think that is their main goal right now as boxers have evolved as well. In the 80's-90's it was purely for the pride that's why we see a lot of great fights and upsets. But time has change, Floyd becoming "Money Mayweather", started to do his own business makes ton of money. So now boxers specially top tier, wanted millions and if they can't give them that money, then we won't see the mega fight that we wanted, like Spence vs Crawford. And I don't think the system will change, IMHO.

There' a huge money involve in every fight they can get so not surprising at all if both fighters are for the rewards they can get but we can't also erase there  want to win on every game since if they could win and defeat their opponent it can bring good exposure to their name plus it could add their fame. But in case on this both fighters they are known already so maybe we can see a fight with pride especially on Thurman he want to regain he's past status so he need to win every match he could take.