Former WBC, WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman says he is targeting a showdown with Errol Spence Jr “as soon as possible” and believes it would be a huge fight in the welterweight division.

Thurman is set to make his return in the summer after making a full recovery from hand surgery and has his sights set on the unified IBF and WBC world champion.

‘One Time’ has been out of the ring since a twelve round split decision loss to Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in July 2019 and insists he would have no issue facing ‘The Truth’ - who dominated former champion Danny Garcia in a one-sided mandatory defense back in November.

“I think we’ve waited long enough,” Thurman told Pro Boxing Fans.

“I would like to make that fight as soon as possible. The whole goal after the Pacquiao fight was to go after Spence anyway, that was going to be the next big, major fight. So I still think it’s a terrific, huge fight in the welterweight division. 

“He’s fought a lot of my competition, but he hasn’t fought me yet you know, so what kind of statement is he really trying to make in the welterweight division? He is a great champion, but I do think that when we clash it’ll be one of the biggest clashes in the welterweight division. I’d be happy to make it happen this year.”

Spence is likely heading in the direction of a three belt unification clash with WBA world champion Erislandy Lara - who was elevated to 'super' champion status by the sanctioning body after Pacquiao was removed from the title due to inactivity.