Welterweight titlist Keith Thurman turned down a lucrative promotional offer from Roc Nation Sports according to Dan Rafael of espn.com
Thurman would have gotten a $2 million advance against the total package — so he could have a nice chunk of the money up front — followed by fight-night payouts of $1 million, $1 million and $2 million. Thurman was interested in the deal and even had Roc Nation Sports tweak the offer to give him payouts of $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $1 million.
“For the most part, it’s a move that I’m not willing to make right now,” Thurman told ESPN.com on Monday. “It’s nice to throw dollar signs in front of a young guy like me and I appreciate it. But I am a man of faith and I believe all that’s coming to me in the future. As long as you have a ‘0’ (on your record) it’s like holding on to a golden goose egg.”
“Jay Z’s company is a young company. I haven’t seen them make guys money yet in boxing,” said Thurman, who turns 26 on Nov. 23. “I’m young. The offer came quick. I already knew I was getting ready for this fight and I’m satisfied with my purse for this fight and with another knockout victory next year my purses will multiply.
“I want to see (Jay Z) do something with another fighter before I follow. I don’t want to fly on the first airplane.”
“I listened. How could you not listen when they throw those kind of numbers around,” Thurman said. “The way I felt at the end is I don’t see how I’m not making $6 million next year anyway. It all came fast. I’m just a patient cat. I’m patient. If you keep a door open you can always walk through it eventually. Right now I’m comfortable with what I’m doing with Team Haymon.
“I was more than flattered by the offer. It was a dream come true actually. I laugh at the fact that I didn’t jump on board. I find it funny. I find it ironic because I was waiting my entire life to be offered a certain deal worth millions. And here I am saying no to a $6 million deal because I believe it’s in my future, if not more, going into 2015.
“I’m not sure if I want to tie down with any entity no matter what they plan to do. I want to learn about this sport – the business aspect of the sport. Maybe I should have jumped. Maybe some other fighter will. What if I lose to Bundu? But I’m a man of faith and I can be patient. I’m looking forward to 2015. Time will tell if I made the right decision.”
