I can't think of any better ambassadors in boxing than the Klitschko's, Tsyzu, Hatton pre-partying days.
To those speaking of "bad blood in press conferences". Reread accounts of the press conferences for Louis vs. Schmeling. No bad blood at all. The two men were full of respect for eachother. No trashtalk, true gentlemen. People who argue you need bad blood to talk up a fight are completely oblivious to boxing history.
Jennings in The States makes complete sense. Fury and Wilder are in play for a later date, probably out doors in the summer. I kind of like the situation of Wlad still being the champ ATM. Assuming Wlad can see off Jennings, who has some solid attributes, Fury or Wilder would be a big fight. Better to have the fight in reality now, than have it as some hypothetical debate on ESB in future years.
Why is it som important for many posters that Wlad "must" fight on HBO? The WBC fight between Wilder and Stiverne had 1.34 mill viewes at most (it was Showtime, but it was a HW title fight invilving a US fighter). Klitschko vs Pulev did 10,5 mill viewers just i Germany! Germany has about 83 mill peolpe living there, so 12,65% of the country watched it. Wilder vs Stiverne, 1,34 mill viewers, 310 mill in population.. Thats 0,43%.. So just in the country the fights happened, 7,84 times the people watched Wlad vs Pulev than Wilder vs Stiverene... So why Wlad need to HBO is for me a big question.. USApeople doesn't watch boxing no way near as much as German and other European countries.
Well, as concerned as I'm sure they are about our posters, HBO would probably prefer Wlad honored the 3 fight contract they signed him to.
Fair points ... not so sure I buy into it...though it is possible. . Still, now Wlad is saying he wants to fight Briggs after Jennings. This underpins my previous point that Wlad is not taking on the challenges he should at this stage of his career. briggs is a complete joke at this point, I am sure you agree That is where my frustration comes at this point. It reminds me a bit of Floyd.
All I know is, I will be at MSG to see Wlad fight LIVE for the first time. Expecting a great show (and his 54th KO).
Originally Posted by Mendoza View Post Blade, Wlad's KO's rule. Without him the division would be less relevant. Do you want four different champions who will milk their WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF belts without meeting each outer? Think about it man. It would be a mess and a joke. If you want to say without Wlad we might get more competitive fights, or upsets, okay. But you must admit that is only because he's that much better than everyone else. Jennings is in the top ten. Who are the best opponents that Wlad should fight? Fury is a makable fight. I doubt Wilder wants to fight Wlad now. Wlad is closing in on history for title defenses. Root for him or against him, but know this. He makes heavyweight boxing go.
As I said before, he could have fought Fury instead of Jennings. Also Wlad has plans to fight Briggs after Jenning. Briggs is a joke IMHO