Absolutely a duck, there are zero excuses not to fight Usyk. I said last week I have a feeling AJ might vacate, Hearn said YESTERDAY he still may vacate. Hearn was saying it all depends on what money Usyk wanted.. well hang on, it's a mandatory so it's a set percentage anyway. I will assume that means.. how much it will cost to guarantee a rematch clause and I've said all along Usyk should refuse a rematch clause at all costs.
I think it's clear Hearn is a bit concerned about Usyk. AJ is delusional, but Hearn isn't. He knows the limitations of his cash cow very well by now. I suspect he believes AJ is more likely to win but that Usyk is a very live underdog and that if Uysk won it would put another huge dent in AJ's brand, especially if Usyk won by stoppage. Fury might also want a different contract if he beat Wilder and AJ lost.
This is what Hearn is worried/concerned about, he saw what happened with Ruiz Jr in the first fight, he knows anything can happen and Usyk isn't a soft touch. So Hearn will want a guarantee of a rematch and if they can't get it then they will vacate and I think AJ will fight Whyte. This is why Hearn hasn't really mentioned an opponent for Whyte yet, no names being mentioned because he is keeping Whyte on the back burner just in case this Usyk fight falls to pieces. Hearn will try and keep it all in house, so there is no chance of AJ losing his belts without an immediate opportunity to win them back and also Whyte finally gets a title shot. It works out well for all concerned.
You sound like Eddie Hearn. Explain that one to me pls? Financial reasons.......? With a WBO 25 - 75 split guarantee, and this fight being bigger than povetkins/pulevs of this world. what's not to like?
The tactics are for AJ to fight a stiff and wait for Fury- Wilder, and then face Fury. If he faced Usyk there would be a very good chance he loses, and Hearn knows that would destroy the possibility of that big PPV dosh.
There exists no reason for Joshua to avoid Usyk. He holds all the advantages except hand speed, so yes, it would be a duck.
I wish i had his hair I meant it as if he were to do so its greed Say he isn't willing to give more than 25 per cent and rather than continue to negotiate, drop the belt . I don't think he would tbh but that's my reasoning
This would be arguably the most embarrassing and hypocritical duck of all time. After all the fuss and hang ringing over Joshua wanting to be undisputed, to suddenly do a u-turn to avoid a cruiser weight would be ridiculous. I've seen a few people suggest its a negotiating ploy but its a pretty **** threat when you think about it. Would Usyk rather fight Joshua for the belt or Joyce? I think we all know the answer. Yes you make more money fighting Joshua but if you get that belt you can milk it for a few big pay days. Usyk holds all the cards on this one.
Fury fans should be ashamed and GTFO asap. A bunch of biased nonsense. Go to your team not a once defend my belt garbage team, that actually make a huge a duck, and on top of that s***** on all fans, and constantly lie to them. Joshua is a true champion, so there is exactly zero chance of him dropping the title. And whoever think Joshua is scared of anyone in the division, should asap visit a doctor.
I doubt he will avoid Usyk. Mandatories are supposed to be on a set percentage, according to the stipulations of the organization who is mandating them. It's corrupt game though, so promoters can petition for exceptions to be made and pay the challenger less than the set percentage. Which is what Hearn is probably doing now.
I think Hearn said split was 80-20. Depends on 80% and 20% of what. Given it's unlikely that stadiums will be at full capacity by August, and Usyk not being a huge name in the UK despite his achievements, I do wonder how much money would actually be on the table for such a fight. Politics and commercials aside, AJ hasn't shown himself to be the type of guy to duck anyone.
So Joshua tries to make the Fury fight, arguably the best heavyweight out there, but at the same time is being accused of ducking a cruiserweight who's looked journeyman level at heavyweight? Okay, that makes total sense.