On his latest IFL interview, Kalle toyed with the idea of a heavyweight WBSS. Obviously the big 3 won't be interested, those aside, who would people like to be involved? For me: Whyte- stuck in the heavyweight wilderness, best chance of glory and big paydays Ortiz- Supposed bogeyman of the division. Chance to showcase his skills. Povetkin- Won't get another title shot. Parker- Be interesting to see whether he's developed as a fighter- adds interest being a previous title holder. Hrgovic- wildcard. Joyce- only route towards getting high glamour fights- currently high risk littte reward for most fighters. H.Fury- chance for big mick to get his mortgage back. Pulev- looked in good nick on his outing against fury. Last roll of the dice.
Can't agree with this, Whyte is laughing all the way to the bank atm and if he gets "trouble" as his next ppv he will prob bank at least another 10m in his next two fights (coz i can't see him losing that one and his profile will continue to rise).
You’d have to get some belt in it somewhere to warrant the risk of going in it. I don’t think it would work without a Major belt though so for that reason I can’t see it happening. Although I would like to see it.
The problem is whether a lot of those would take the risk of an early exit, which sends their career miles back, and further away from a serious payday. Can't see Whyte taking it. Hughie isn't good enough. Pulev and Ortiz are presumably in the frame for AJ. Feels like a lot to lose with relatively little to gain.
Personally I think beside the big 3 you would struggle to get Whyte, Pulev, Brezeale and Usyk in it as they all have a strong chance of cashing out with a title fight in grasp. But I wouldn’t mind seeing a fastrack to a shot for the prospects and guys who have had a chance to get great exposure. WBA regular on the line and a gauranteed shot. Something like Hrgovic Joyce Parker Rivas Kuzmin Kownacki Hunter or Yoka Would take a minimum of 2 or 3 years for those guys to get a shot if Whyte, pulev, usyk etc are mandatories. By the time this plays out they would be in a prime spot
For once sir, I agree with you. With a big cash cow or cash cows in the division it's a very difficult sell to these fighters.
I love the idea of such a knock out tourney with the above talent Would provide a great insight to the divisions future and provide a few good fights Let the Big 3 sort their own nonsense out and the new breed just fight
Fair point mate. Personally, I can't see a clear route Whyte has to a title shot now for some time, and also not sure how long he could sustain being a PPV fighter with no title. The tournament backers appear to have deep pockets- I'd hazard a guess that only the big 3 are capable of generating larger purses than the winners prize money. Regardless, it's an interesting concept. The thing with the heavies is you could have the Lower tier guys in there and it will still generate more interest than most other weight divisions. I hope they have a look into it further.
This could be great for fans, especially with some of the names mentioned. Would be a big chance to expose some names to an international crowd and catapult a fighter in the rankings, especially if the winner receives a guaranteed world title chance. Especially good in theory for Joyce, who isn't young. Would it be too early for the likes of Schwarz and Gorman - not seen these names mentioned. Young enough to come again and surely around the level now to be fighting 'names' and known respected fighters. Admittedly I haven't seen anything of Schwarz, and it doesn't look like he's beaten anyone notable yet, so am just basing it on ranking and international audience appeal regarding him. A mix of unbeaten up and coming prospects and proven fighters such as Parker/Hughie Fury, even Chisora, would be appealing.
Any batch of 8 of the top 30 heavyweights would make a great tournament, belts included or not. Ideally a prospects one with Gorman, Dubois, Hrgovic, Bakole, Joyce (yeah I know) with an old school like Chisora in, maybe a Povetkin too and a Parker.
belts you say making a super duper Aliwbawbcringibfnabcoceananicmexicanholidaywbss heaviest biggest belt shouldn't be a problem should it