I agree but the point still stands imo, the WBSS would have been negotiated before he called out Haye. Guess thats a deeper issue in boxing and and a big reason for its decline.
The Irrelevant Boxing Federation counts for nothing mate after what they done to PED Fury's belt. If Haye fighting on the Dave channel wearing a giant white nappy against 2 absolute stiffs gets one to number 3 in their rankings then this organisation has zero credibility. Haye had career ending injuries 5 years ago. Both he and Bellew knew they could roger the PPV mugs and make a fortune. I give Bellew the same credit as Fraud v Conman McGregor - congratulations for a mass rogering of PPV mugs but forget all three fights as being credible. I know you are a fan of Bellew mate but I don't rate him highly at all and would expect Usyk to demonstrate clearly the difference between an elite fighter and an average Joe who can make millions through his biggest asset - tongue. I will be eating plenty of helpings of humble pie if proved wrong!!!
I'm going to sound like a hater. I'm not, but I'm going to look at this from a realistic perspective. A lot is being made of Bellews boxing brain and thinking attributes. I admit he talks a good game and clearly knows his stuff but doing things in practice against real world class fighters is totally different. Here is what I look at when I think of this fight. I won't base performances at LHW as he was quite badly drained. Fought Brudov on his Cruiserweight debut and was close to being stopped in round 7, although he dominated the fight. He was quite gassed in that fight. Who is Brudovs best win at cruiser? Against Cleverley in the rematch, he was unable to get rid of him when he was on the ropes for circa 3-4 rounds. Again he was quite gassed. Fight wasn't exactly a drubbing but it also wasn't a split decision, should of been a UD for Bellew. Who is Cleverleys best win at Cruiser? Good result against Masternak, I had it a round to Bellew I think, fight was razor close. Masternak is fringe world level I would say. Who is Masternaks best win? Makabu was a good win, Bellew was floored in that fight but not seriously hurt but he wasn't putting on a boxing clinic either up until the stoppage. BJ Flores, he was 37 years old when he fought Bellew. Whats his best win at cruiserweight and how long ago? Haye x 2. Haye had 2 fights since 2012 when they fought in 2017 originally and after the fight it was quite clear he had an injury going into it. Was starting to lose rounds quite clearly until Hayes leg went and it took him circa 4-5 rounds to stop him on virtually one leg. Looked tired late on in the fight. Second fight Haye could barely put any weight on his leg, especially going backwards. Got knockdown several times, got up twice. (Fun fact - and to my surprise!) Bellew hasn't actually beaten a champion to win any of the belts he's won. Here's a list: 2010 - VACANT Commenwealth LHW title. 2011 - VACANT BBBoC British LHW title. 2012 - VACANT World Boxing Council International Silver LHW title. 2012 - VACANT World Boxing Council Silver title. 2014 - VACANT World Boxing Organisation International Cruiserweight title. 2015 - VACANT EBU European Cruiserweight title. 2016 - VACANT World Boxing Council Cruiserweight title. Clearly just a coincidence / pure luck? I've never seen anything like it though. Another fun fact (Jurgen will be having kittens) - This will be his 4th PPV fight. Seriously whatever happens regardless in this fight, whoever said Bellew would be perfect for taking the lead for Eddie in promoting fights for Matchroom boxings expansion - I 100% agree he is the perfect person. He's now 36 years old, which is quite old and I think he's going to struggle even more in the later rounds if it goes that far then he did 2-4 years ago against lesser competition. Even against Haye (first one) and Cleverley 2 he was very much gassed. Compare this now to Usyks list of title wins and opponents at Cruiserweight - look at boxrec. I'm not saying he can't win. I think most sane posters agree that if he does, it will likely be by KO or if Usyk gets some kind of freak injury. I've seen posters saying where will he be in British all time great and P4P rankings and that he will be top 10 or even top 5. One win doesnt automatically put you in that list, especially when you've never beaten any other champions for a title. I don't see anyone saying the same if Fielding beats Canelo! It would certainly be in the top 10 all time British wins though. My own thoughts on the fight are its probably cagey for the first 1-2 rounds after which Usyk starts to take over. Bellew will have some bursts of brief success but as the fight goes on Usyks work rate will look like it's increasing as Bellew starts to feel the pace. At some point there may be a shot on the belt-line which Bellew reacts to as a low blow and overeacts (it wont be low-low but on the beltline). Usyk takes over the second half of the fight and scores a late TKO stoppage between rounds 8-12 based on Bellew struggling with the pace. Like Jurgen, I'll eat humble pie if im wrong and he pulls off the upset. Some of the stuff people are coming out with though is delusional, mainly based off the Haye wins.
I remember you were one of the few on here who tipped Bellew to beat Haye first time round. I too cannot wait for this now. It’s going to be an emotional night whatever happens. I do however disagree with your comments about what Usyk needs to do to get Joshua. Provided Usyk doesn’t get flattened on Saturday and wins comfortably, points or stoppage, the fight with Joshua is an inevitability. This PPV sets it up perfectly.
Also, not that I give a single **** about the BBC or its politically charged award, but if Bellew somehow wins and becomes undisputed CW champion, he should be a strong contender for SPOTY. Beating a broken Haye doesn’t mean much but beating Usyk alone is up there as a top 5 sporting achievement of the year and like him or not, Bellew has a ton of personality, one of the most polarising men in sport.
Thanks bud. Do you reckon he’ll get Joshua in his next fight should he see Bellew off? I wondered if Hearn would chuck Whyte in front of him next. Joshua v Usyk is a fight I would absolutely love to see.
Just to add, I mentioned this earlier in the thread but if Whyte beats Chisora, could we possibly see Whyte vs Haye? Even though Haye’s lost his last 2 fights and is clearly hampered with injuries, it would not surprise me at all if with a bit of slow building beef (through this build up with Chisora) they could build that fight and really sell it as a PPV. I’m quite possibly getting carried away though.
I think your thoughts are correct, Hearn would stick Whyte in there first. IIRC it was a three-fight deal Usyk’s team signed with Matchroom. So naturally that would look like Bellew, Whyte, Joshua. I think providing Whyte beats Chisora, we’ll see Joshua v Whyte in April. Then regardless of who wins that fight, the next fight for Usyk will be against Whyte. I really really hope not but nothing surprises me with Haye anymore. That actually makes a little sense on paper.
Bellew will have him moments. This is actually a pretty fascinating fight to me. I think Bellew has a decent chance here at home. It’s not going to be anywhere near as easy for Usyk as some are making out on this forum .
An outstanding post, as good as I've read here. It should be administered as an antidote to anyone exposed to one of Tony's interviews because as you say, he does have the gift of the gab and each time I view one I find myself tempted to reject the cold hard facts. Well until I see them as well set out as you've done above.
Win lose or draw I think Usyk will fight the loser from Whyte Chisora next. The winner from Whyte Chisora will fight AJ next in April and possibly have Usyk on the undercard. This will build up a massive fight between Usyk and AJ for end of the year. This is what I would do if I was Eddie.
