Keith Thurman returned to the ring against a game Josesito Lopez on January 26, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, on PBC on FOX. In his first fight in 22-months after elbow and hand injuries, Thurman started fast, landing a clean left hook on an exchange that put Lopez on the canvas with 15 seconds left in the second round. Thurman continued to move effectively and pick out power shots to Lopez’s head. “My hand took some contact tonight,” said Thurman. “Lopez had a tough head but we held out strong. I said you wouldn't see the best Keith Thurman tonight, but you'd still see a world class performance, and I gave you that tonight.” Lopez tried to crowd the space, attack the body and then use his length to surprise Thurman with power shots. In round seven, Lopez connected with a straight right hand that hit Thurman cleanly and had him immediately in retreat mode. "He had me buzzed and shaken up in the seventh round, but I tried to stay on the outside,” said Thurman. “I was a li