So now AJ might not even fight Usyk hahah?

Alexander Krassyuk

 

I give Ruiz credit beating a guy who has the by far the most proven and in depth resume. I give AJ credit for beating a guy who did that to in straight rematch. In the same way I give credit for Lewis avenging his lose to Rahman.

 

But it would have been better to beat Ruiz the first time around !
And Ruiz wasn't even in hardly anyone's top 10 going into the first fight.

You're giving credit to AJ for Ruiz's "quality" but that perceived quality is based on Joshua getting KTFO the first time.

 

Exactly people here hype USKY who has done nothing at HW. But hey, this is esb

 

Considering Ruiz beat a guy who at the time had beaten Wlad, Povetmin, Parker and Whyte you have to give him credit for that and showing his level. In return you have AJ credit for beating someone who had the quality to beat him.

Similar to way Lewis Vvs Rhman and Fury vs Mcdermott.

 

I give them credit for 'avenging' the loss but logic tells me it would be better to beat them on 1st attempt.

 

I don't believe AJ is frightened of Usyk but I believe AJ and Hearn are definitely wary of him.. also I believe future business (an undisputed fight) is potentially so big they are calculating risk/reward with Usyk and where this could all end up if something goes wrong.

The AJ Vs Usyk fight should happen, it probably will but I honestly think Hearn has been testing the water, Hearn/Matchroom are constantly gauging social media reactions.

Hearn wanted to see the reaction to the idea of AJ dropping the WBO title.. and it hasn't been good.

It's all about calculations, Hearn and AJ know one slip against Usyk and they could be out of the picture for quite some time and Fury, Wilder or Usyk could end up with everything.. and Hearn and DAZN won't be involved and that is a huge thing, Hearn looks to have signed with DAZN and these huge fights will have been mentioned.

Hearn and AJ learnt their lesson with Ruiz Jr, they know for certain nothing is a gimme and if Usyk pulls off the upset he could walk away with all those belts and have the undisputed himself.

Hearn has spoken to Sam Jones/Joe Joyce and I'm positive those conversations involved Joyce/Usyk and if Joyce won would he be willing to fight either AJ or Whyte.. Whyte to keep it "in house" and closer to AJ.

Hearn has also been mentioning Whyte and the WBC, so Hearn really isn't sure this undisputed will happen after Fury Wilder and AJ Usyk and if not then the calculation changes again.

 

Ya'll making Usyk out to be the next coming of Ali when he might just be another Chris Byrd

 

If AJ ducks Usyk to fight another 40 year old it will look terrible.
Whyte is a bad choice as well since he lost to 40 something Povetkin recently.

 

Usyk KOed Hearn and Joshua together

 

Usyk is "hyped" because he is a rare talent - that much was obvious on his undisputed Cruiser run.

I don't see why it's any different from folks saying Crawford or Loma or whoever is "special" and because of their "leet skills" they can move up weight classes and beat bigger foes, cementing and proving that they are indeed "Special".

What was Usyk really supposed to do after cleaning out Cruiser? Regardless of money, he has obviously look at Joshua and has thought - "I fancy I can do a number on him".

The only difference here from folks demanding that Loma try and beat bigger guys like Lopez, or Canelo going to 175 against Beterbiev, is that Heavyweights have no weight limit, so the challenge is that much greater.

I don't think anyone is hyping up Usyk at Heavyweight, it's more a case that:-
1) On pure skills and talent I don't think anyone would argue that Usyk is easily the best from Crusier up - with the very possible exception of Fury.
2) Does anyone think that AJ skills are on the same level as Usyk?

Why is it such a stretch to think that Usyk can beat Joshua? (dodgy scorecards aside)

If Crawford moved to 154 today, most folks would give him a pretty big chance of at least winning a belt no?