Throughout the entire buildup of their bout, Fundora said he’s preparing as if it's Thurman who beat Danny Garcia to become a unified welterweight champion.

But that was a lifetime ago — March 4, 2017, to be exact — when Fundora was one fight into his pro career. Fundora has since developed to become the WBC junior middleweight champion and The Ring’s No. 2 contender in the division.

Thurman, meanwhile, has seen his career crater due to a rash of injuries and incredible inactivity, fighting just four times in nine years since beating Garcia.

Now 37, “One Time” Thurman is suddenly looking to fight Father Time while taming the flame that is “The Towering Inferno” Fundora.

Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) no longer sports the long flowing hair and braids; it’s now a clean, fatherly cut. And although he’s lost some zip off his jab, his gab is as good as ever as he’s boasting a big game for Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) ahead of their PBC on Prime Video PPV bout that will take place at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“There are so many unfortunate events that I've had to endure,” Thurman told The Ring. “Someway, somehow, everything slows with the seasons. Like this too shall pass. I have a lot of fight left in me. I'm not quitting anytime soon. It's Thurman versus everybody.

“Fundora is game enough to step up to the plate and make this fight happen. I love it. We get to make American boxing great again."

Before beating Garcia, Thurman's resume featured wins against Robert Guerrero, Luis Collazo and Shawn Porter in two years. He was 28 at the time and pushing for a fight against Floyd Mayweather.

But then Thurman faced several career and life-changing situations, which included surgeries, marriage, a loss to Manny Pacquiao, the pandemic, becoming a father and more surgeries, all while PBC staged fewer shows.

Just to get some semblance of activity, Thurman fought for the first time in three years, 12 months ago, when he travelled to Australia and knocked out the outmatched Brock Jarvis in three rounds during his 154-pound debut.

“In my fight in Australia, it felt like we did it, and we showed the world that I am ready for action,” said Thurman.

Thurman went to the Land Down Under looking to line up a fight once again against Tim Tszyu. But that plan fell apart after Tszyu got destroyed in a July rematch against Fundora.

In some ways, the underestimated Fundora should be forever grateful to Thurman.

Thurman was supposed to face Tszyu in March 2024, but pulled out of the fight less than two weeks before due to a torn biceps. Fundora got the call to step in as a late replacement and beat Tszyu in a bloodbath to become a titleholder and power player in the division.

“We had to pump the brakes one more time,” said Thurman. “It's just challenging. Luckily for me, I always find a way to stay optimistic. I count my blessings and keep on keeping on.”

Thurman also needs to count on having a turn-back-the-clock-like performance in what may turn out to be the toughest task of his career.

Thurman will have to overcome an eight-inch height disadvantage against the 6-foot, 5 ½ inch Fundora, a whopping 11 inches in reach, nine years in youth and massive underdog status against the minus-380 betting favorite.

If you ask Thurman, however, Fundora has never faced anyone on his level, and a win will propel his career to even more significant matchups in boxing’s deepest division.

“Sebastian Fundora doesn't have someone like me on his resume,” said Thurman.

“Not only is this title fight important for me, but it's important for him. If the next generation is going to take over, you have to get rid of me. It's no easy task, and it hasn't been easy for anyone throughout my career.”