Just have a look at Wallin, pecking away at Gassiev for 12 monotonous rounds. The perennially inactive Gassiev has wasted the last few years and showed zero ambition against Otto, conqueror of Dom Breazeale. In the end it is more of the same, jockeying, for position, once the real heavyweightchampion is decided in February. Title split up, Josh picks up a plastic belt beating the ponderous Croatian and parleys his quarter share of the title for further endless negotiations, and they are endless ! I’m just thankful that the heavyweights are only a small part of boxing. Compare these lumps with real competitors like Wood, Navar
It was the Parker fight. Wilder wanted to get in the ring after the fight and cut a WWE style promo. According to Wilder, Joshua said no. Wilder spoke on this a few years back now, and said they wouldn't even let him in the stadium or some such nonsense. Personally I always felt Wilder should have just turned up at the stadium and caused a scene. It would be clear who was ducking who had he chose to do that. Seemed like the obvious play if true
Seems really weird that the Saudis are trying to put on another 'big' card with only six weeks notice. I know money talks but it seems very last minute and high risk. Given the timeframes, it makes sense that it would be 'warmups' for the potential A sides in a future match up, likely for the finale of Riyadh season. Wallin has been overlooked for a while and would surely box at a week's notice for the chance against Joshua. Given his links to the Fury camp, have to think Parker would feel he has some inside knowledge against Wilder, but Wilder surely a huge favourite. Assuming both come through, just hope that any contracts signed for this guarantee Joshua-Wilder in March/April.
You I think it’s a good fight. I expect AJ to come through this one. Wallins a tough fight for anyone.
I would assume that the Saudis realise now that throwing two inactive big names together doesn't necessarily translate to eyeballs... Wilder has fought less than one round in two years, after coming off back-to-back knock outs. He has been so inactive he has been dropped from most rankings. His much anticipated comeback against Helenius hardly moved the needle either. Joshua is coming off an underwhelming series of wins. His last fight wasn't PPV either. And just read this board to see what "the British" fans think of him. So, sure, Joshua v Wilder is a fight all the hardcores are gagging for, but you need to have some lead in to sell the fight to an international audience. I said this a few months back, that Wilder is doing nothing to build this fight, and the longer he is inactive the less I would expect him to get the Joshua fight next. His inactivity is devaluing the fight. And it would hardly be of benefit to Joshua IF he stopped Wilder in a few rounds; people would just say Wilder was inactive and clearly shot, etc., etc. - We all know that is exactly how that would play out. So instead, they stick Wilder in with Parker, who has a name and is staying active. And Wallin who is ranked highly and can be sold as a guy who gave Fury problems. If they both come through that, then Joshua v Wilder will be a far bigger fight once again. Even if they lose, they can still fight each other, and the hardcore will still want to see it. Wilder v Parker, and Joshua v Wallin are both very good fights, and to get them on the same card is great. Would I prefer to watch Joshua v Wilder next? Yes, I would. Would I prefer to watch Joshua v Wilder after they have shown that they get passed decent opposition? Yes, that's a no brainer. You guys need to be realistic
AJ v Wilder sells no matter what. Won't ever be as huge as they think in America. Beating Wallin and Parker won't do a thing to change that
Boxing fans have become so gaslit by boxing promoters they now don’t even need to be fed a narrative as to why fights aren’t getting made, they parrot the promoter narrative themselves.
The excuses his fanboys make for him, it's just absurd. Do you people realise he and Hearn just spent all year promising Wilder, even telling you they avoided Fury to do so, only to fight Wallin with Wilder on the same card?