Warren: Joshua will fight Usyk on April 13

The thing is even if it's true Warren trying to turn it into some kind of poor fight is laughable.

The undisputed CW world champion vs the #1 3x belt holder HW champion is a good fight!!!!

Two undefeated Olympic champions and world champions is not easy pickings.

 

Unfortunately for Joshua he has to play the waiting game to see if the rematch of Wilder/Fury goes ahead. He can't wait that long as he will want to stay active and the venue has been booked I think for April.

His best hope is that the rematch doesn't go ahead, so he can fight either Wilder or Fury. If not then a Usyk fight would be the next best alternative. I would give Usyk massive credit for taking on Joshua. For Usyk, Joshua is the best fight out there, it's high risk but high reward. If he wins it comes with belts and a payday.

Joshua v Whyte, Pulev or anyone else would be a stay busy fight for me and a anti climax. Joshua v Wilder/Fury/Usyk would be the best v the best.

 

There is a way that it makes sense for both parties, but it wouldn't be a popular opinion on these boards. Both sides may think there is a very good chance that Usyk's stock will never be higher than it is right now. That there is too big a chance of him losing to someone like Whyte or Miller, the kind of win Usyk would need to make his hype and his $ value bigger than it is now.

So, Usyk's team (admittedly room for a conflict of interest since he partially shares his team with AJ) would fear he would miss out on a huge cash out opportunity if he doesn't take the fight immediately. And AJ's team figures this would be the opponent he'd get most credit for apart from Wilder Fury, and maybe the one person he could fight in April and not get too much blowback for not facing Wilder Fury. And that if he waits on it, it will disappear.

 

Usyk himself said multiple times that he'll ease in into HW. Unless he thinks AJ is an easy fight for a beginner, the fight is not happening so soon.

 

Wilder and Fury will rematch. They basically signed a two-fight deal. Warren has already asked the WBC to order a rematch.

As it pertains to Joshua, the WBC doesn't care if Wilder fights Joshua or Fury fights Joshua. They get their cut regardless of who the WBC champ is entering the unification.

And all of you guys have been saying for months Fury-Joshua is a bigger fight. So why wouldn't the WBC want Fury to be their champ entering that fight?

The WBC would likely make more if Fury had the WBC belt entering a unification.

 

I'd like to see a Joshua-Usyk fight.

Usyk weighs as much as Wilder does on fight night.

Usyk doesn't have Wilder's power but he's a much better all-around fighter than Joshua is.

It would be another excellent boxer vs puncher matchup.

You can count the number of speedy, slick, in-their-prime boxers Joshua has fought on ZERO hands.

It would be more interesting than seeing Joshua try to bomb out another flat-footed, stationary heavyweight.

 

Usyk will make a lot more than $1 million if he were to face Joshua, I can guarantee that.

But you are right, Usyk might believe the time is now and not year(s) from now. I think he truly believes in himself, but also acknowledges that HW is dangerous and that he could run into a loss if he drags this out too long. So could Joshua.

I also believe Usyk is a legacy builder. He himself wants the scalp that is Joshua, and would have it sooner rather than later.

 

I feel that he,s got a chance....

 

I'd much rather start 2019 seeing Wilder-Fury II and Joshua-Usyk than any other two fights.

It's like its own mini World Boxing Super Series.

You've got the Lineal Heavyweight Champ Fury vs. the WBC Heavyweight Champ Wilder.

And you've got the IBF, WBA, WBO Heavyweight Champ Joshua vs. the Undisputed/Lineal Cruiserweight champ Usyk.

Those are the four best guys over 200 pounds.

Ortiz, Whyte, Miller, Breazeale and whomever ... they can fight each other.

I'd rather see Fury, Wilder, Joshua & Usyk go at it.

 

All sound reasoning and maybe the other factor is the WBO mandatory and Usyk's right as CW champion to challenge for the HW belt if he steps up.

Maybe if he does it now he takes Whyte's slot, DW is the number one contender, maybe Usyk could jump him in the Queue?

 

I don't know if he could take Whyte's spot but some of the orgs have a line in their rules saying one of their champs in a lower division can ask the org for permission to fight for one of their belts in a higher division without being ranked in that division first.

That's how so many lighter champs are allowed to win titles in multiple divisions without establishing themselves as a top contender in the heavier divisions first.

You just don't see it a lot from cruiserweight to heavyweight like you do, let's say, from 140 to 147.

But Usyk is a champ in three of the organizations that Joshua has belts. So one of those orgs will surely let him fight for one of Joshua's belts.

 

Warren is not a good source, since he's a rival promoter.

I'll believe it when it comes from Hearn.

 

Great fight! better than Whyte 2 anyway

 

There was an announcement a month or so ago, pretty sure it was the WBO saying that Usyk would have the right to challenge joshJo should he move up.

With the WBO' mandatory due next, would Usyk's right override Whyte's claim?

I think it's important because AJ has to keep on top of the mandatory demands so and big fight that also takes care of a Mando must be of interest to Hearn and AJ.

 

Absolute madness for Usyk to jump straight into a Joshua fight, he needs at least 2 fights to adapt to the weight. Someone like Takam would be a good way to ease his way in, fighting Joshua first is a kamikaze mission. Not surprised Hearn wants to make the fight now before he’s had a chance to settle into the division.