If he carries on, should Usyk just take the Zuffa belt and abandon the ABCs?

It's all about the money so why not.

 

Conner Benn has had one fight that paid less than Usyk is making at the moment, so probably not the best example. "Rumors" that X Y or Z might sign to fight also isn't substantial.

Zuffa would have to spend money they don't have to draw big heavyweight names to their side, and I don't think that's sustainable for them to do so when some of those fighters (AJ, Fury) are commanding 8-9 figure paydays as is.

Maybe they'll pull a few meh names like Haney. I don't think the general boxing viewer would particularly care though.

 

How is Benn not a good example?

He is the perfect example highlighting they'll chuck money around
He isn't that talented, won absolutely F all and his "name" is what they are paying for

Rumours about Haney ain't substantial? This whole site is based on rumours and hear say yet we discuss it daily and in this case a number of people high up in the industry have stated it
Fact is, Zuffa have the money, I can't believe you've said they haven't got the money

Tbh I'm not sure what I'm debating here

Zuffa can clearly pay any fighter in the world in a big way
They may not choose to sign for them but the moneys there

That's my only point so not going off in to a tangent

 

You kinda side stepped the main points I made:

1. They're not paying Connor Ben, or any other fighter for that matter, anywhere near what Usyk is currently earning where he is.
2. They haven't signed any meaningful heavyweight talent, and it would be too expensive for them to do so.
3. A rumor isn't confirmation and means diddly squat.

Therefore, Usyk is unlikely to join Zuffa. The evidence so far is that they won't offer him a contract, and aren't even rumored to be considering it all.

 

Because your points don't relate to my post

Uysk had talks with them before the Rico fight so it's not completely alien to see him maybe take a deal with them

Of course they'll not pay Connor Benn what Uysk is getting, he doesn't even deserve what he is getting but my point is they'll over pay if need be

Signing HW talent would be expensive sure but too expensive? , no these guys have deep pockets and can if they choose to

That is literally the only point I'm making here
That they can out bid anyone if they choose to

If you dont see or believe that I don't know what to say

Honestly that's all I'm saying
They are stupidly flush with cash and right now are not intrested in profit, that's long term

I'm no fan of what Zuffa appear to be doing but I'm not blind to know they have a war chest far bigger than anyone else if required

 

They're relevant enough. Zuffa has shown zero signs of trying to draw in the most expensive division to fight for their belts, and there's zero evidence that they will.

I "don't see it" because all you have given is pure speculation with nothing to back it up. Should Usyk go there if there's more money? Maybe. Will he? Unlikely.

EDIT: I'll also slip in that joining Zuffa has done Opetaia zero favours so far either.

 

Their cash flow is not speculation

I've also not said Uysk is likely to sign

Again my only point is they have the funds to blow everyone out the water if they choose to

I'll leave it there

 

They might have the cash for a few fights, but they also need to get a return out of it which is the hard part. There's also the challenge of pulling people away who want the traditional titles/prestige of unification.

So I think you're right on them having the coin, but that's only part of the battle. Always appreciate the discussion mate

 

I was more alluding to the fuel to the 'Weak Sauce Heavyweight Era' that Fury/Ngannou introduced - just see Rummy's last vid; it brings all those questions to the fore again, and they are valid regardless as to what we individually believe.

Usyk's cruiserr legacy is fine, but his heavyweight legacy is predicated on 2xFury, 2xJoshua and 2xDubois, with those being the 'top' dogs at the relative points in time. Whilst I don't really think that this 'era' is any worse than Wlads, or even the 90s to an extent, the optics don't look great and provide ammunition for anyone with an agenda against Usyk directly or this era in general; devaluing Fury/Joshua or Dubois implicitly devalues Usyk.

Outside of Wardley/Parker/Kabayel not getting his shot it's the main reason why the Rico fight done my nut in when it was annouced; up until that fight Usyk has never put a step wrong in his matchmaking or opened his resume or legacy up to any more than curosury inspection; but the Rico matchup was a zero sum game banana skin; Usyks wins easily as folks predicted, then so what, it's expected? Outside of the money it was a lose-lose for Usyk IMO.

 

Usyk should cash out completely and milk those last millions, whichever organization.

He conquered boxing 100%. There's no more to win.

If we are all honest, we would do the same.

 

He saved the division by getting rid of cherry picking Fury.

 

He's just Fury with less fat and more respect. Usyk operates the same way. Usyk doesn't operate like Wlad, Roy Jones Jr or Muhammad Ali. He does the bare minimum required to keep his title claim.

 

He already has better wins at hw than Fury.