Still feels a little cringe tho, bringing on a non English speaking ‘acquaintance’ who has nothing to do with the sport for clout.
Just glad we’re getting to see top fights. Switch off when all the arl rappers etc are on, couldn’t care. Less about the “epic” promos either
I really liked the quick turnaround of fights in the undercard. Five minutes after one fight has ended it was pretty much straight into the next ring walks. They constantly take the **** with the main event build up in though. Also the prize announcement for one of the fans is a massive no. It must be great for the winner but it’s just a huge waste of time for everyone else watching. The way they did it AFTER the Joshua-Dubois fight with 90% of the stadium emptied was embarrassing. Hearn should be imploring Turki to just can that.
I think the issue with the build up was because ESPN couldn’t show it before 6pm EST, hence, the extended nonsense before the main event.
Poor old fast Eddie the guy who wanted to turn Eubank junior into a skeleton and put him in with a drug cheat my heart bleeds for him.
I had it a draw 114-114. Definitely not a robbery but the 116-112 card was a little baffling. On a more serious note, did anyone else see Kadyrov jump in the ring at the end? The small delay in Beterbiev going to the middle for the score announcement? Warren and Hearn had a very very worried look on their face… and I don’t think it was due to the small amount of time Beterbiev was taking to come to the middle. I know it’s in Saudi and I believe they’re neutral in the war in Ukraine? But Kadyrov is sanctioned by the US, UK, EU and others so potentially major impacts on Queensbury, Matchroom, Top Rank, Goldstar etc etc if the powers that be noticed it too. In terms of it’s a major criminal offence, even potential for the banks accounts etc to be frozen (which I suspect is why they looked worried). Also, potentially may mean that Riyadh season will be blacklisted too? So they can’t host any events in the US or UK? https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/Q217115/ I’d like to hear Usyks thoughts too… can’t see him being too happy and/or wanting to fight on Riyadh season if they’re allowing that monster in to their fights/promotion, especially when under his orders children are being mutilited, women raped, and citizens executed currently
Gonna watch again after and score it rnd by rnd. Always baffles me though how people think a close fight couldn’t be scored 116-112, not just this fight any, you could get a great, close competitive fight were one fighter Just edges 10 of the rnds. In a close fight it could just mean you preferred one fighters work in 2 of the rnd that have turned if from a draw to 8-4.
Had a look on Twitter for some post-fight reaction and it’s just Hearn on every channel demanding people should never work in boxing again his ego is out of control.
Officially they support Ukraine’s right to freedom/to re-claim the land illegally annexed by Russia. But they haven’t severed ties with Russia and still do business with them. I’ve had a Quick Look and this includes not enforcing the sanctions
The 116-112 card was definitely a little odd. But I can't see how Hearn or anyone fit that matter, could really complain with the outcome. One judge had it a draw, another had it by one round to beterbiev. Bivol pretty much ran for the whole fight, and sure, he could have nicked a win. But he, by no means, went out and "won" that fight. If you know what i mean.