Not setting the pulse racing but an acceptable fight to make. Is this fight classed as voluntary or a mandatory for the WBO?
Why do you keep going on about Joshua losing as though a loss for a high profile, successful fighter immediately spells total doomsday for his career and the channels backing him? Biggest selling heavyweight fight ever? Both fighters had lost. In fact, they had five losses between them. Second biggest? Both had lost. Third? Both lost. Fourth? Both lost. In fact, of the twenty names on the ten biggest heavyweight PPV fights in the history of American boxing, only two (and both of those Holyfield, against Foreman and Douglas) were undefeated. Don't get me wrong; I'm sure Hearn wants Joshua to keep winning. But this farcical notion that loss = career collapse being peddled by so-called knowledgeable fans is genuinely laughable. If Joshua loses, the narrative changes, but he remains massively high profile.
If AJ vs Tyson Fury or AJ vs Wilder cannot be made, then this is the best fight out there. Whyte has MORE than earned a shot at the title. He had a fantastic 2018 and has really put himself in contention. He deserves it more than Baby Miller who has beaten absolutely no one, more than Pulev and more than Usyk. Usyk needs 2 fights at HW to find his feet before challenging for a big title.
I ask because I'm sure I read somewhere that the WBO were considering installing Usyk as mandatory. The sanctioning bodies could become a pain- if the IBF call Pulev there will be a backlash. Be interesting too see how they manage it.
WBO is waiting on Usyk, as soon as he moves up and has a 'tune up' they will declare him a mandatory and will enforce it for next winter/spring. Pulev is IBF mando and I believe just signed with Top Rank, so Josh will have to face him late in the summer.
Joshua attracts the football mongs so I'd imagine so. Be prepared for "Oh Anthony Joshua" x 1 million, along with other helpful insights such as "hit him" or "knock him out"
Sounds like it’s the same...is there the usual smoking in the bogs and snorting coke off the sinks or is the security a bit better?
It’s a pity they have already fought ! Yes there have been a lot worse fighters get a shot at the title for me whilst it’s not a foregone conclusion that Joshua wins but at best it’s an 80:20 fight ! Dillian has improved particularly in his conditioning but I do not think he has the skill to negate Joshua’s reach and in particularly his jab.
Even if Usyk is mandatory Joshua will have a voluntary and they will also allow a unification so he is unlikely to face him until he has boxed either Fury or Wilder. The IBF and WBA mandatorys also in line. Usyk will likely need 3 or 4 fights to build his reputation at heavyweight so still a lot that could happen in that time frame (18 months)