RIP Usyk. This is the fight that will bring the lion back out of AJ. His return to glory will be a spectacular one, but will have to come at Olksynders expense unfortunately
From a business viewpoint you might be right but why would we give a **** about how many $ end up in Eddie Hearns pocket? Surely you would rather see Joshua v Usyk?
**** the belts. It would be great to have an undisputed champion, but not at the expense of missing out on the best fights. Props to Joshua if he does this.
Aww man, laughing at folks on here who are willing to postpone great fights because some corrupt money grabbing ABC org will be left out. Usyk is 32 and is as ready as he will ever be. Lets get this ON.
I know this may come as a shock to you, but maybe Joshua doesn’t care about the alphabet titles anymore. It’s not like he will ever get the WBC title anyway, since Wilder won’t face him. He may just think “feck it” and decide to look at other legacy-defining fights instead. As I see it, there are three of those right now; Wilder, Fury & Usyk. Wilder and Fury are tied up, so that leaves Usyk. Former undisputed CW champ, with a solid claim to the P4P throne. Undefeated as well, a true road warrior with an Olympic gold medal. What a fight that would be! Pulev on the other hand is just a past it “name”, who already got soundly beaten in his single challenging effort against Klitscho. Pulev does very little for Joshua’s resume. What a stinker that would be!
It makes sense for AJ to fight Usyk now, not so sure for Usyk, I'd personally like to see Usyk have maybe another fight or two at heavyweight before taking on an AJ, Wilder or Fury. Hearn obviously has some sort of "plan" but if truth be told it was all thrown up in the air the minute AJ lost to Ruiz. But a belt will have to be vacated and I believe it will be the IBF because Hearn will have an opportunity to get it back in house and quicker than most expect. In the IBF rankings top 15 (number 2 vacant) Hearn works with, has worked with or will work with Usyk, Hunter, Hrgovic, Povetkin, Parker and maybe a couple of others. It looks easier to get that title back in house doing things this way.
As the old adage goes; Gr8 fighters make a belt great not the other way around. I'm down for this if it happens, gutsy moved for a guy who beat Chazz Witherspoon who is no measure to a great HW today. And then AJ who knows Usyk doesn't run, but he can stick n move!
No they won't because they won't have the IBF title in play. Mandatory are not suppose to be attractive, there purpose is so that all fighters get a shoot, whether they are a household name or not. Hearn is a smart business man, the Usyk fight will always be there but if he drops the IBF title...that's it forever. Top Rank (Pulev) or PBC (Kownacki ) or Kabayel (Top Rank) if Kownacki goes through with his fight with Robert Helenius will make sure Matchroom never sees that belt again. Drop the WBO belt, let Usyk and Parker fight for it since they are both co-promoted by Matchroom...fight them later on this year.
From a legacy point of view and giving the fans the best possible opponent. The Usyk fight is the one to go for above the Pulev fight. Belts are not all that important. It is more important as a promoter and for a boxer to fight the biggest and best opponents, and make the most money. So I really cannot criticise Hearn or AJ for choosing Usyk as an opponent, it is the best fight out there for AJ!!!! Kudos to Hearn and AJ.
If he wants to go in history, he needs to unify all belt and become undisputed. Absolutely zero sense to throw a belt away, he then can`t get back, while the Usyk fight will always be there for him. And to be fair he can fight Usyk after the Pulev fight. So to throw away the IBF belt is a stupid move, especially how hard Joshua was working to unify all the belts, and to lose the one in such a idi**** fashion. Also as for Joshua as a fighter, he need a solid opponent, but who does not posses any danger to him, so he can bring his cofidence back, gain experience and most probably make highlight reel KO, and this is all possible against Pulev. And as far as for the question and i`m a promoter or a fan, its obvious what i`m. If i was promoter i would not sit in a boxing forum, right ? Firstable Joshua need 1 more fight to bring the best out of him, and Usyk need more time to be ready for a such solid opponent as Joshua. If Joshua and Usyk have 1-2 matches before facing each other, this will be the best possible thing, because both will improve in that time.
