Usyk will stand in the way of Fury-Joshua

But he doesn't, and he's not small by any definition of the word.

In any case, it's pointless to argue about what fights may or may not take place seeing as, from the looks of things, no one will be fighting for the foreseeable future

 

That's how I see it possibly playing out.

He's well within his rights to decline step aside money too.

 

Don't unifcations take priority over mandatories?

Fury is even less likely to agree to fight Usyk than he is AJ.

 

You can ask for an exception but there's only so long the governing bodies, or a fighter, will wait. Ruiz was a voluntary, then Joshua was a voluntary for Ruiz, now the WBO mandatory has been delayed in favour of the IBF.

 

I genuinely think Fury believes he can beat any of the others, as they all do, so I don't think it's fair to insinuate he will 'duck' anyone. I think you're right actually, unifications do take priority.

I saw an interview with Usyk and his manager after the Chisora presser where they insinuated they feel there will be an attempt made to make the unification happen and push Usyk out of the picture for the time being. They said they were prepared to fight this.

 

I should imagine Usyk and his manager will be difficult in order to secure a huge step aside payment. At the end of the day, they are contracted to Matchroom aren't they ? Fast Eddie will have the final say.

 

Ruiz wasn't a voluntary. Fighting Miller, then Ruiz, satisfied Joshua's mandatory obligations for one of the belts. Then Joshua activated their rematch clause which meant Ruiz had to give him a rematch

 

Not a hope in hell Ruiz could ever get to 175

 

That's true, depends what they offer Usyk I suppose. I think he's primarily motivated by achievement over money though.

 

Totally agree. Usyk would rather fight but I don't think Fast Eddie will be presenting that as an option.

 

Usyk ain't standing in the way of nothing, Chisora is knocking him out of the way when they fight.

WAR CHISORA !!!!

 

Thing is, unless he's really hot to fight Joshua in particular, Eh Day could put it to him that it would be better to step aside and fight the winner and therefore have a chance at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion, rather than simply the unified champion

 

He can only guarentee that if Joshia wins. Usyk would be mad not to make the fight

 

Maybe not now but the point is solid, Ruiz is basically an obese light heavy. Look at someone like bellew for reference, same height as the tubby little Mexican, campaigned at 175 and looked like a boxer who had to make weight, went up to heavy and looked like a fat fcker.

Difference is the grinning Mexican has always been an obese mofo.

I get that it’s not a good look for Joshua to go 1-1 with a grossly obese 175er but there’s no reason whatsoever a dedicated Ruiz shouldn’t have been a light heavy. His hand speed backs this up too.