I have heard some people say he is avoided because he is such an awkward ******* who can make you look bad and steal a decision. But I agree, no one is remotely scared of getting hit by him at the elite level. He doesn’t sit down on his punches when against an opponent he respects.
Golden Boy, so he won't go anywhere under them, and even if he did fight more regularly, none of the top guys will go near him.
Guys like Usyk, Hrgovic and other guys coming out of EE. There are some good fighters coming out of those countries but they tend to not have money and effective promotion behind them. They do not have a large built-in fan base behind them. So, you have potentially dangerous opponents that you can't make much money fighting.
Well, add to that there's much more money and being undisputed. Fury is the fight to make, saying anything else is frankly silly.
Joshua was ducked by Wilder and Ortiz both within the span of a month, but since Ruiz other fighters are probably more eager to face him. I can'y say that anyone seems really avoided right now at HW.
Povetkin was largely avoided between 2015 and 2017. - Facing Ortiz two months after a positive test did not bother Wilder but there was never any question of a fight against Sasha. - Hearn had wanted to ride Whyte vs Povetkin several times between 2017 and 2019 but Whyte refused. Ironically, he will still take a knockout in 2020. - Finally, I'm not sure Joshua would have taken the fight against Povetkin if he had performed better against Hammer and Price. I also think no one wanted to face Ortiz after his two fights against Jennings and Thompson.
Oh, for sure, I'm not for a minute suggesting that AJ should NOT be fighting Fury, all I'm saying is that if Usyk wasn't his mandatory then maybe he'd be a little less up for the Fury fight is all.
It has to be Usyk. Half of the reason that Tyson and Fury might get actually made is because of Usyk. He is sitting on the outside waiting to pounce on whoever don't sign.
Don't forget Sullivan, who would otherwise fight anyone & any number of fighters in one night. He seemed like he would fight Ortiz under bare knuckle rules, then ducked him again under Marquis de Queensbury. Preferring Corbett instead.
Hrgovic Joe Joyce would happily fight Usyk however perhaps the Ukranians team should stop making silly offers.
