Ever since BT got back into the game the quality of cards has declined because fighters have more options. It's not the broadcasters choice. And now Fury and Frampton and a few others have got US deals so we'll have Fury v nobodies on ppv at 5am with undercards with zero uk interest.
I believe putting him straight into a rematch against a fighter who has just outboxed and knocked his man down 4 times is naive and a selfish attempt to jump straight back on the gravy train. His first thought should be his fighters recovery both physically (concussion) and psychologically. Instead, it’s business and filling stadiums.
Have you seen the rumours coming out about him getting dropped hard in sparring? Apparently, that's what AJ's dad was raging about at the end of the fight. Makes sense. Assuming that's true he needs a complete rebuild, and LONG layoff, as we know when you get KO'd even more than few times your brain basically rewires itself to constantly "reboot" to protect itself at the lightest touch. Think Khan. This is even more apparent at HW....I will find the science paper that details it. tl;dr - AJ is finished as a top-level contender, and probably was some time ago. He is literally one bad knockdown away from being Price level now.
I haven’t heard the rumours mate but his face looked like it had taken some punishment prior to the fight with Ruiz. AJ looked like a man who had been starched recently and was very very anxious about getting into any exchange on Saturday. As soon as he was hit, his instinct was to shell up whilst Ruiz unloaded on him and even take a knee (in the 7th). We both know that that doesn’t just go away in a few months like some people seem to be expecting it too in a rematch. I believe Aj needs to be dealt with with kid gloves now or he will keep reacting like that from now on when he takes a shot.
It depends on the manner of the win. If he outboxes him on the edge of his jab for 12 rounds (Parker-esque) or knocks him out then it’s back on....but if he wins by a razor thin decision or gets knocked down again in the process then he’s in a bit of bother commercially and career wise.
LOL I was waiting on Eh Day pulling a silver spoon out of his jacket pocket and hitting the man on the head for a KO
From a boxing perspective AJ needs a refurbishment which would be a program of rest and grafting in a few skills , even with an exceptionally coach/team that would take time . From a business perspective they need to get belts back and if they don’t get the Ruiz rematch in next 6 months it may not happen? AJ proved in the Parker fight he is capable of keeping it long and grinding out a decision so that would be the basis of a plan.
It was a bad card from Hearn's point of view but I think it was good for fans in the end -- huge upset for ruiz + taylor's fight was a war + statement from Callum Smith
