Everything is true, but usyk didn't have a choice to keep kabayel waiting any longer. The match was ordered. And praising him for this, when it was clear for like 2 years now that he only wants money fights and had no interest in kabayel or parker when the questions were asked is kind of backwards. Kabayel is the only really interesting fight now and I would have liked to see it no matter the outcome. Since it seems like this was the idea all along (not to fight the challengers with no money behind them), the praiseworthy Thing to do would have been to release the belts at least a year ago, maybe earlier. Now it's probably because of some zuffa stunt and not 'for the challengers' and NOT praiseworthy...
I mean, it sounds like Usyk only wants one more fight so if Zuffa is running the sport through Usyk it won't be for long lol
If Usyk loses to another Zuffa fighter, that fighter will be the legitimate Heavyweight Champion of the World & Zuffa will still be running the show.
To be fair, this was before I learnt about the Zuffa thing. However, I wouldn't say it's been clear for 2 years. He was fighting Dubois a year ago, and whether people wanted that rematch or not, he had every right to win the belt back that had been taken away from him for rematching Fury, and become undisputed for the second time. So more like a year.
Zuffa is looking for legitimacy and they will be eager to let Usyk fight whoever he wants for a title under their banner as long as he wants. Not just tolerant. Eager. Usyk could keep this going to 45 because his targets are usually the same age as him if not older. Father time can't beat you if he's got to be neutral. Zuffa also might pay Usyk a kingsransom to lose to Jai or someone handpicked to be the guy long term. That guy will then have the lineal title and now Zuffa has the HW lineal title. If Usyk loses under the Zuffa banner Zuffa keeps the title. And I think that's kinda the overarching goal here. Note-I don't mean rigging the fight I mean taking a fight he knows he's going to lose.
I say before then, because at that time his statements already indicated a lack of interest in fighting his possible opponent parker, when parker and dubois were about to fight each other. So the mindset was already there
My view was that the rico fight was meant to be a gauge and he got his answers. Father Time is undefeated. Against a formidable boxer on that night he’d have taken an L. He’s now going to take fights a 40 yo should take and ride off into the sunset. Good he’s dropped all the belts. Maybe he does it with fury or wilder not sure but they are all in the same spent basket so I suppose it makes sense and there’s gong to be good money with it too
Opetaia isn't beating Usyk no matter how much money is involved. There is zero evidence that Opetaia can even fight at heavyweight, let alone beat the best in the division at that weight. You are correct in that Usyk could coast for a few more years taking novelty fights though, but at least he's letting the rest of the division move on.