Keith Thurman In 'Best Shape'; Regular Champ Says 'Being Himself' Is His Edge

Keith Thurman apparently achieved his "best shape" ahead of his superfight with eight-division title holder Manny Pacquiao and claims that he's only edge is being "Keith Thurman."

Both Pacquiao and Thurman indeed trained hard for their much awaited bout on Saturday. During their training sessions, the two welterweights had managed to impress the crowd and with the help of the media, fans across the world also had a glimpse of how much hard work both fighters had put in for one of the most talked-about boxing event of the year.

The younger champ Thurman have had some major injuries in the past which led to boxing experts assuming that the WBA welterweight regular champ will never be able to regain his best fighting form. But Thurman's aunt begs to disagree. In a recent talk with Sporting News, Thurman and his aunt Kimberly Doehnert shared some thoughts ahead of the fight in which Doehnert proudly commented on her nephew's hardwork.

According to Doehnert, Thurman's current physique is the "best shape" of the champ she had seen.

"I will tell you right now, Keith is in the best shape that I've seen. His overall conditioning and the way he looks, Keith looks like his earlier years when he first started boxing. He's bringing that power and youth to the ring," Doehnert said.

Doehnert also pointed out some factors which she believes are the advantages of his nephew over Pacquiao.

"Power and the fact that he's 30 years old, he's at the height of the welterweight division, height of everything in his life," Doehnert pointed.

Aside from the will to win the fight, Doehnert also said that Thurman is coming off of a different perspective now compared before.

A lot of things have changed for Keith over the years - he got married, family changes - so, there's a different perspective," Doehnert added.

Thurman on his part, stated that he's surrounded by top trainers in the world, especially his aunt and that he has no some sort of edge but just being "Keith Thurman."

"There is no edge. It's hard work and dedication. Just doing what you need to do being a champion. The edge is being Keith Thurman. There's only one Keith Thurman on this planet," Thurman said.

"My trainers will tell you that I push myself," he added. "I know what work I need to do as a champion. The difference is that I surround myself with the best and people who let me be me. I know what I need to do, I have the top trainers who complement what I'm already doing and that's why Kimberly is in my corner," Thurman emphasized.