First thing AJ needs to do is drop that dosser trainer Garcia, he's probably already out. Then hire Sugar Hill and he'll be a'ight. I'm not saying he can win but this is a fight that should've happened long ago. How long are they going to keep putting it off, until they are both Usyk leftovers?
Usyk-Joshua 2 was delayed until August, 11 months after the first fight so Usyk could spend time with his family. He can’t use that as an excuse forever. In addition, Usyk cited “injuries” as an excuse to not fight Fury in December, yet Usyk was the one who battered Joshua just last month in Saudi, not the other way around. Therefore Joshua has just as many if not more injuries than Usyk, yet I don’t see Joshua hiding behind the injuries excuse. I can’t believe I’m defending AJ over Usyk but there you have it, proof that I’m a fair man. If AJ takes a fight that Usyk turned down, AJ deserves credit, and Usyk deserves to be called out for it.
AJ's on a losing streak, throwing good money after bad. Warren knows it; him and Fury can feel his desperation. Like those poor punters losing money to a street hustler, betting another €100 cos of that 1% chance it might finally pay out. AJ should never have taken the immediate Usyk rematch - there simply wasn't enough time to reinvent himself. Here he is again doing the same thing. Bounced into another urgent fight - a trap that looks like an opportunity.
His country is in a brutal war with cities, towns and population decimated. In a war with a stronger country who wants to extinguish Ukraine as a nation and a large part of it population with it - quite probably Usyk and his family included. And he has been fighting in that war. I think it's fair to say that this hasn't been a normal year for Usyk, and if he wants a few extra months I think that's understandable.
That fight makes sense if Usyk wants to wait a while before he fights for undisputed. The only downside is that I want Joshua to beat Fury, but then we might not get Fury-Usyk, which is a fight that I desperately want. At least, it will take a while.
AJ fights the best possible opponents available to him, always has done. If the Fury fight is real, he will definitely take it. Regardless of a loss if that was the case, it would not actually affect his drawing power I don’t believe. Real boxing fans can appreciate that he is trying rather than ducking.
Fury vs Joshua is still the biggest heavyweight fight out there. If they can get it made then it makes sense to do so - November is too soon - December is tight but doable. But I can't see Hearn and Warren agreeing on anything here so it is likely to fall through.
AJ will take this bout if he has any self belief or fighting spirit If he doesn't then it shows boxing is just business for him
It's all upside for AJ: mega money fight and the opportunity for a massive win/wins that put him right back in it and salvage his legacy. Turn it down and it's a blatant duck, plus the fight will be smaller or may never happen if you lose again, which is a distinct possibility. Every fringe contender and decent journeyman will believe they have a shot on AJ these days. AJ's got less to lose and everything to gain, he's got 24 rounds of experience against Usyk under his belt and he's going to be written-off now, which may work in his favour. Will AJ get destroyed? Very likely, in my opinion. But it's a gamble he has to take and at worst it's a massive cash out fight. He's already got 3 losses, one more to Fury isn't making a big difference.