I don’t believe in excuses when it comes to boxing, you can get hurt during the middle of the fight, you can get hurt during training camp prior to the fight, in which you probably should cancel the fight and reschedule. Injuries are a part of the sport. Sometimes, outlasting your injured opponent by simply not being injured is a winning method.
You might not, but people do actively use magic injuries to excuse their losses or avoid fights to begin with. Yoka is an example.
This content is protected Peter Kadiru would have been acceptable tune up fight for Gassiev when he wasn't holding a belt. But this guy is hot garbage. Mediocre skills and a glass chin. He's a punching bag for mentally ruined mid 30s AJ in the gym. That's his main gig.
C'mon, though. They are looking for a last minute replacement just to have a fight. It's not going to be a good one, although I had hoped they would offer it to one of the other Russians. And again, if Itauma, miller, Hrgovic, etc. had not already turned him down, we wouldn't be in this mess.
The event should just be called off. If Joyce is prepared and willing to fight they either take that or pull out of the event and wait for Yoka to recover. Although Joka really doesn't deserve a crack especially with Gassiev being elevated to full champion.
Gassiev deserves to have a fight so all his training wasn’t for nothing People dog piling on him for taking a late opponent due to Yoka the clown bailing is absurd
Naw, then everyone will just be complaining that he never fights. He should fight somebody. If Miller, or the winner of Itauma-Hrgovic want him next, they got his number.
Well-stated, and again, they will just turn round and complain that he doesn't fight. Despite being an excellent cruiserweight champ, and ferocious natural puncher, who has fought though injuries and near retirement to re-invent himself, he has just become on of those guys some people don't like.