IF AJ beat Rico...

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by catchwtboxing, May 30, 2026.


Would AJ score some history points for beating Rico?

  1. Yes

    20 vote(s)
    42.6%

  2. No

    27 vote(s)
    57.4%
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  1. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    ...would he get some credit toward being great for twice "defending boxing?" He has also cleaned up Fury's other messes. To date...


    1. Fury's retirement- Joshua steps in and re-unifes...has a decent reign.
    2. Fury basically losing to Ngannou- Joshua destroys him.
    3. Wallin--not quite the same level of disaster, but a lot of people don't rate Wallin, and Fury almost lost to him because of the cut. Joshua of course stepped in and destroyed him.

    If the match was made (and its being talked about), this would be the fourth time that AJ has cleaned up a major or minor disaster. Even though I consider this a minor thing that will blow over by itself, I think AJ could claim a lot of credit by stepping in an beating Rico handily.
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2026
    catchwtboxing, May 30, 2026
    catchwtboxing, May 30, 2026
    #1
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  2. heerko koois

    heerko koois Obsessed with Boxing

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    50/50 fight imo
     
    heerko koois, May 30, 2026
    heerko koois, May 30, 2026
    #2
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  3. lobk

    lobk Original ESB Member

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    Is this what the heavyweight division has been reduced to? In the past this is what we would call a gate keeper. Keeping the Walin and Ngannou of the boxing world from climbing up. Now it's defending boxing? Wow.
     
    lobk, May 30, 2026
    lobk, May 30, 2026
    #3
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  4. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    1. Fighters gain credit wiht good performances. For example, with the Ali win, Ken Norton would be a fringe contender, his other best wins being a washed-Quarry and and either-way against Young.

    2. And you are kind of missing the point, a bit. It's not the fighter but the circumstance.

    3. We have to stop this nonsense about boxing. It is the #1 comnbat sport on the planet WITH A BULLET. Just look at the the financials of it.
     
    catchwtboxing, May 30, 2026
    catchwtboxing, May 30, 2026
    #4
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  5. lobk

    lobk Original ESB Member

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    It is a sad state of boxing when defending boxing is thrown around. Guys that have 1 to 2 fights shouldn't be in the realm of needing to be defending. That's just my opinion
     
    lobk, May 30, 2026
    lobk, May 30, 2026
    #5
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  6. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yes and no. Yes, because he’s cleaning up the mess. No because he keeps landing into lucky situations with these where the opponent can be a pain to a pure boxer type but is hittable enough for a big puncher to get him out of there. Doesn’t matter how tricky Rico seems, if he gets hit by uppercuts at the rate Usyk was landing them, AJ is going to take his head off inside of a few rounds.

    it’s just a styles make fights thing.
     
    Barrf, May 30, 2026
    Barrf, May 30, 2026
    #6
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  7. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

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    AJ already has done that with Ngannou though.

    Its just too low reward in the end when one literally only has one professional victory over a decade ago after all.
     
    Ice8Cold, May 30, 2026
    Ice8Cold, May 30, 2026
    #7
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  8. kirk

    kirk l l l Staff Member

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    If he beat Rico he should def be given some credit and grace from the boxing community.

    Would he though? Of course not.

    With that said, Im not sure Rico is worth the risk right now for AJ.

    Rico is not an mma fighter. He is the best kickboxer on earth.

    The reason I was afraid that the Usyk fight was going to be worse then people thought it was going to be is Rico brings a pedigree to the fight that majority of fighters don't have, doesn't matter if its kickboxing, hes still an elite fighter with champion level experience and pedigree, who trains hands extensively.

    Should AJ beat Rico if they fight? Yes. But its a dangerous fight for him and Im not sure its worth the risk, considering if he loses he would be made a mockery of by the entire combat sports world.

    Im not sure how AJ responds to some of the powershots that Usyk took.

    And if he wins, he gains nothing substantial, hes beating a guy 'he should' be able to beat.

    AJ should pass on this.
     
    kirk, May 30, 2026
    kirk, May 30, 2026
    #8
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  9. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I voted no because he ain't beating him.

    AJ doesn't have much confidence in himself anymore and is clearly just on a path to cash out against Fury.
     
    Kiwi Casual, May 30, 2026
    Kiwi Casual, May 30, 2026
    #9
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  10. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    Eddie Hearn, who always tells the truth 100% of the time, and is a very good, objective source with no dog in the fight, says that AJ is getting his confidence back and wants to be champ again.
     
    catchwtboxing, May 30, 2026
    catchwtboxing, May 30, 2026
    #10
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  11. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You'd think AJ was 6 with the way Hearn talks about him
     
    Kiwi Casual, May 30, 2026
    Kiwi Casual, May 30, 2026
    #11
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  12. OddR

    OddR Well-Known Member Full Member

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    It's a win but with nothing on the line because despite the controversy Uysk did find a way I don't know if it improves AJ's ranking a lot. Perhaps to a small extent if AJ does it really comprehensively.
     
    OddR, May 30, 2026
    OddR, May 30, 2026
    #12
    catchwtboxing likes this.
  13. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    AJ also cleaned up Tyson's mess, and if he beat Rico better, faster, more attractive than Usyk - he would deserve the nickname "mess cleaner".
     
    ikrasevic, May 30, 2026
    ikrasevic, May 30, 2026
    #13
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  14. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    Or, "Mr. Clean," or, "The cleaner."
     
    catchwtboxing, May 30, 2026
    catchwtboxing, May 30, 2026
    #14
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  15. ubareem

    ubareem Member Full Member

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    Rico is MUCH better technically than Ngannou, but he lacks Ngannou's power. That's why I think Fury's performance vs Ngannou was way worse than Usyk's vs Rico.

    I like Fury, but the Ngannou fight is still a stain on both Boxing and Fury's legacy.

    AJ could do an Ngannou on Rico, but I think Rico would be tougher due to his better ring IQ.
     
    ubareem, May 30, 2026
    ubareem, May 30, 2026
    #15
    BoxerMaurits likes this.
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