Keith Thurman returns from a lengthy layoff caused by injuries, defending the one welterweight title he still holds against Josesito Lopez at Barclays Center on Saturday night.

“Last several times that I was in here, it was spectating other cards and other shows,” Thurman said. “And it’s just a whole other atmosphere and whole other energy. Twenty-two months since I’ve been in here. I almost forgot what it’s like when it’s your fight week and when you’re the headliner.”

For Thurman (28-0, 22 KOs), that was March 4, 2017, when he edged Danny Garcia in a split decision in Brooklyn to unify the 147-pound titles. He had surgery two months later to remove bone spurs from his elbow. When he resumed training after a lengthy recovery, he hurt his left hand.

He says he probably could have returned last year, but opted to wait until the new year for what he felt was a fresh start. He had to give up the WBC belt he won in the Garcia fight that Shawn Porter has since won because of his inactivity, but he is still recognized as the WBA champion.

Frustrated that he couldn’t get a straight answer from doctors about how long the elbow surgery rehabilitation would take, Thurman is hesitant to make any promises. He thinks he’ll fight twice this year, though won’t guarantee it.

The only thing he’ll say is neither fight would be against Errol Spence or Terence Crawford, the other two welterweight champions who have emerged as the stars of the division while Thurman was sidelined.

“If we fight a champion, we’re only fighting the WBC because that champion is me,” Thurman said.

“I was the champion. I want to reunify my titles before going after the champions that I’ve never faced before and this reason is because I was the unified champion of the world. When Keith Thurman steps in the ring and faces one of those fighters, there will be my two titles on the line plus their one title.

“Once you get a taste of a certain status, you kind of get used to it. I want to get that status back before going above and beyond.”