Joshua agrees step aside

The counter argument is that at present he enjoys the perks and protections of the contract Usyk signed before their fight. Joshua's position is protected, the splits agreed, refusal over venue and other conditions, particularly broadcast arrangements guaranteed.

etc. etc.

If he takes the step aside are all those advantages lost? A less favourable split could reduce his take by more than the rumoured £15m and that's before the other criteria come into play.

Maybe he could get an agreement with both Usyk and Fury's name on it, but making it stick would prove a lot harder than enforcing his existing contract, even if he could get Top Rank and Fury to agree to broadcast terms. He could get left out in the cold without leverage other than his commercial pulling power, which itself would take a beating from negative coverage around a step aside. He'd be the odd man out as the big fight was decided between Fury and Usyk.

Not saying that it may not make sense in the wider picture with additional training time etc. It's not as straightforward however as take the 15m and everything is as it was.

 

Good point.

 

Too many boxing fans seem to think that;

1. You're not allowed to lose
2. All losses must be immediately avenged

Lennox Lewis didn't avenge his loss to McCall for years. Ali waited for 4 years to get his revenge with Joe Fraizer. It doesn't make you a lesser fighter to go away and rebuild.

Joshua stepping aside is good for him and good for boxing.

 

Not sure Joshua has much development potential and we have already seen the best of what he has - a good fighter always coming up short when facing any elite opponent.

His power looked good when puddings were falling over, his jelly legs appeared when Whyte landed one on him, his heart looked OK until broken by Rice Pudding Ruiz Jnr and finally his soul taken by Usyk.

Stepping aside for that money is great business and he will get his final crack next then retire after another defeat.

 

Exactly - either victor in Usyk vs Fury is a massive fight for Joshua. I hope this happens, it’s best for the division.

 

Not really bothered if he does or doesn't. If he doesn't then we get to see Usyk dominate and KO him this time which will make me money. If not then we get to see Usyk beat Fury which will also make me money.

 

Whyte hasn’t fought in 10 months, Joshua and Fury 4 months (left Usyk out of this as he clearly isn’t the problem). If they just got on with it and fought in March/April then the undisputed fight could be in September/October and there’d be no need for daft step aside fees and all this absolute garbage.

 

I agree.

I always said that I'd be far more interested in seeing how Mayweather deals with a loss than I am his "0".

I've never ever been able to take an undefeated fighter seriously. Too many question marks next to fighters like that.

 

God you guys are stupid. Exactly how many times does AJ have to say that there is no step aside deal? This is a fairy tale dreamed up by Arum and Fury because they want to duck Whyte. but it's not happening so stop talking about it already. Whyte has said hell no to it too. Just stop already. Fury is going to have to man up and fight his mandatory or be stripped. The end

 

Even Hearn admits they're considering it. Joshua said he's not signed anything, not that he wouldn't sign anything.

As for Whyte. He's not been seen or heard from for months so god knows what he's planning on doing.

 

I agree, AJ was almost inviting a step aside offer in that daft interview.

My guess would be Nandrolone, Trenbolone, some Dinabol and a spot of Clen whilst topping up his tan in the Algarve.

 

A few Toblerones too I imagine.

 

Catterall on talksport said AJ wants the Usuyk fight and his management team want to take the step aside money.

Considering AJ will have a new training team this really needs to be resolved ASAP

 

Imagine if boxers themselves could be allowed to decide what they want to do.

AJ is such a big name that he hopefully has something to say...

 

Isn't there still unfinished business between Jarrel 'Big Baby' Miller and Joshua?

Now there's a fight we all want to see.