Joshua v Klit terms agreed

[jamesmcdonnell]

and this is why folk walk away from boxing and go to MMA

ffsake

Yup; I watched recordings of a boxing card I was out of the country for, and the last UFC card that was on BT sport, and the UFC card, as usual, absolutely knocked spots of it. The Bisping fight was sensational, I was falling asleep during the boxing card.

I can honestly say I can't recall the last time I watched a really exciting boxing card.

I was watching Barrera Morales the other night, when was the last time a big fight lived up to that kind of hype?

The UFC 205 card is immense aswell.

It just seems to get better and better UFC, and the production values are consistently excellent.

[lefty]

Yup; I watched recordings of a boxing card I was out of the country for, and the last UFC card that was on BT sport, and the UFC card, as usual, absolutely knocked spots of it. The Bisping fight was sensational, I was falling asleep during the boxing card.

I can honestly say I can't recall the last time I watched a really exciting boxing card.

I was watching Barrera Morales the other night, when was the last time a big fight lived up to that kind of hype?

The UFC 205 card is immense aswell.

It just seems to get better and better UFC, and the production values are consistently excellent.

The UFC branding and marketing is brilliant however. There is a fair few complaints about fighter pay and talk of a possible fighters union but whether that comes to fruition we'll have to see.

[jamesmcdonnell]

The UFC 205 card is immense aswell.

It just seems to get better and better UFC, and the production values are consistently excellent.

The UFC branding and marketing is brilliant however. There is a fair few complaints about fighter pay and talk of a possible fighters union but whether that comes to fruition we'll have to see.

I think part of the reason for UFC's success, is the fact the fighters aren't able (yet) to demand the earth to face their best challengers.

In boxing all the money has floated to the top fighters, who mile the shite out of it, leaving less to go around the rest of the sport.

[lefty]

It just seems to get better and better UFC, and the production values are consistently excellent.

The UFC branding and marketing is brilliant however. There is a fair few complaints about fighter pay and talk of a possible fighters union but whether that comes to fruition we'll have to see.

I think part of the reason for UFC's success, is the fact the fighters aren't able (yet) to demand the earth to face their best challengers.

In boxing all the money has floated to the top fighters, who mile the shite out of it, leaving less to go around the rest of the sport.

Yeah I agree. Ps not sure why I put however in my post you replied too lol. Ignore that. As a consumer I'm very happy with the product that the UFC provides. My concern and I know it's a selfish one is that if the fighters do succeed in forming a union not only are they going to try and get more money (which in itself I'm not against) they're going to try and dictate matchmaking aswell for less challenging opponents like what happens in boxing. If that happens- the company and the sport will end up going the way of boxing. I'd hate to see that happen.

[jamesmcdonnell]

The UFC branding and marketing is brilliant however. There is a fair few complaints about fighter pay and talk of a possible fighters union but whether that comes to fruition we'll have to see.

I think part of the reason for UFC's success, is the fact the fighters aren't able (yet) to demand the earth to face their best challengers.

In boxing all the money has floated to the top fighters, who mile the shite out of it, leaving less to go around the rest of the sport.

Yeah I agree. Ps not sure why I put however in my post you replied too lol. Ignore that. As a consumer I'm very happy with the product that the UFC provides. My concern and I know it's a selfish one is that if the fighters do succeed in forming a union not only are they going to try and get more money (which in itself I'm not against) they're going to try and dictate matchmaking aswell for less challenging opponents like what happens in boxing. If that happens- the company and the sport will end up going the way of boxing. I'd hate to see that happen.

I deliberately ignored the however. I figured it was a crazy rush of blood.

I think the top fighters have somehow found a way to suck ridiculous amounts of money from the sport, without justifying it, how Floyd managed to earn so much with so little entertainment is beyond me, but I believe it was to the long term detriment of the sport, I'm sure more people were turned off boxing, than turned off, after watching his Soporific efforts.

[PokerRob]

Why is Klitschko so bothered about the Super WBA belt anyway? Why isn't he concered about the WBO title, or at least fighting to have that belt on the line as well?

[Finn]

Why is Klitschko so bothered about the Super WBA belt anyway? Why isn't he concered about the WBO title, or at least fighting to have that belt on the line as well?

Seems ridiculous, I suspect he's got wind of an easy route to a title.

[CiganoBoxer]

TBH i never did think this fight was ever going ahead, far too big a step for AJ, you watch be fore we look round we will have AJ fighting some cab driver again for £18 .....only on PPV

[crusader]

TBH i never did think this fight was ever going ahead, far too big a step for AJ, you watch be fore we look round we will have AJ fighting some cab driver again for £18 .....only on PPV

Same here. I was never confident this would actually happen, and always thought AJ vs Price or some mediocre, big-tittied American seemed more likely. Hopefully they can still get him in with someone decent next.

The HW division is far more talk than walk these days. All this speculation about good fights happening, and yet nothing. Where is the thriving division we were supposed to get once Wlad lost? Hell, Parker vs fatty Ruiz for the WBO would be a good fight by the standards of what the division produces these days!

[CiganoBoxer]

TBH i never did think this fight was ever going ahead, far too big a step for AJ, you watch be fore we look round we will have AJ fighting some cab driver again for £18 .....only on PPV

Same here. I was never confident this would actually happen, and always thought AJ vs Price or some mediocre, big-tittied American seemed more likely. Hopefully they can still get him in with someone decent next.

The HW division is far more talk than walk these days. All this speculation about good fights happening, and yet nothing. Where is the thriving division we were supposed to get once Wlad lost?

Big fan of Fury me , many thought at the time what he did for the HW devision was a good thing by beating the main man, but since the bizarre somewhat self destruction on a professional level ,the devision has never looked so fragmented has it !?

[BitPlayer]

Wilder being injured is another problem stopping big HW fights this year.

[Killer Blow]

I can see what Klit is doing here. Doesn't back himself outside Germany against someone half decent. He'll beat Browne for the WBA then he'll demand Joshua fights him in Germany in a unification bout.

[Like a Boss]

I can see what Klit is doing here. Doesn't back himself outside Germany against someone half decent. He'll beat Browne for the WBA then he'll demand Joshua fights him in Germany in a unification bout.

That is how Joseph Parker's people are seeking it too, and they are far from happy about it :

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-spor ... itle-scene?

"I can see the Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko fight falling over for a variety of reasons and Klitschko is going to take the soft option of fighting in Hamburg against Lucas Browne," Dean Lonergan from Joseph Parker's management company said.

"That just goes to show that Klitschko is past it and shot. He had the opportunity to make a massive comeback and massive statement against one of the young Lions of the division in Anthony Joshua.

"If he passes on that fight, he also has the opportunity to take on the other young lion of the division in Joseph Parker. But he's not ... he's taking the softest option possible and I think it's a disgrace that they couldn't finish that (Joshua) deal for the sake of boxing and his own credibility."

Lonergan suggested "club fighter" Browne was capable of knocking out Klitschko if the former champ fronted with a similar effort to when he lost to Fury in a huge upset last November.

[Killer Blow]

I can see what Klit is doing here. Doesn't back himself outside Germany against someone half decent. He'll beat Browne for the WBA then he'll demand Joshua fights him in Germany in a unification bout.

That is how Joseph Parker's people are seeking it too, and they are far from happy about it :

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-spor ... itle-scene?

"I can see the Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko fight falling over for a variety of reasons and Klitschko is going to take the soft option of fighting in Hamburg against Lucas Browne," Dean Lonergan from Joseph Parker's management company said.

"That just goes to show that Klitschko is past it and shot. He had the opportunity to make a massive comeback and massive statement against one of the young Lions of the division in Anthony Joshua.

"If he passes on that fight, he also has the opportunity to take on the other young lion of the division in Joseph Parker. But he's not ... he's taking the softest option possible and I think it's a disgrace that they couldn't finish that (Joshua) deal for the sake of boxing and his own credibility."

Lonergan suggested "club fighter" Browne was capable of knocking out Klitschko if the former champ fronted with a similar effort to when he lost to Fury in a huge upset last November.

He's spot on. Fair play to Lonergan, he's a smart guy. Klitschko is the worst thing to ever happen to boxing. He turned the heavyweight division from the most prestigious to the one no one gives a shit about. Not one single good thing has come from his presence in boxing.

[crusader]

I can see what Klit is doing here. Doesn't back himself outside Germany against someone half decent. He'll beat Browne for the WBA then he'll demand Joshua fights him in Germany in a unification bout.

AJ showing no signs of leaving home for a big fight either....does he not fancy himself against someone good outside the UK? Afraid to face someone better than titty-boy Brezeale/Martin/Whyte/Johnson or Gary Cornish?

Wlad fought his top contenders for years, engaged in unifications, had title bouts in several countries, and even at 40 tried rematching the guy who last beat him. He may not have a style we all warmed to, but his willingness to fight the top guys out there is laudable, and boxing could do with more of it.

[Killer Blow]

I can see what Klit is doing here. Doesn't back himself outside Germany against someone half decent. He'll beat Browne for the WBA then he'll demand Joshua fights him in Germany in a unification bout.

AJ showing no signs of leaving home for a big fight either....does he not fancy himself against someone good outside the UK? Afraid to face someone better than titty-boy Brezeale/Martin/Whyte/Johnson or Gary Cornish?

Wlad fought his top contenders for years, engaged in unifications, and even at 40 tried rematching the guy who last beat him. He may not have a style we all warmed to, but his willingness to fight the top guys out there is laudable, and boxing could do with more of it.

We'll see who/where Joshua fights in the near future. Wilder and Parker don't fight away either.

[crusader]

So none of them fancy their chances against good opponents away from home? Why single out the most proven out the bunch, who has fought top opponents for years and had title bouts in several countries?

[Killer Blow]

I know what he does behind the scenes. He's 100 times worse than any of those guys.

[crusader]

Are you an insider?

Whatever he's done, he's still fought top opponents for years and traveled numerous times for title matches. What signs has AJ given that he plans to fight top opponents abroad? Is it all those fights with mediocre, big-breasted opponents in the comfort of the UK? Weird that you'd single out Wlad in this case.....

[Like a Boss]

Here are the Plan B scenarios according to Boxing Scene :

The respective promoters for Klitschko and Joshua have both submitted written requests to the WBA, asking the sanctioning body to approve their fight for the vacant title.

If the WBA approves the fight, then Klitschko vs. Joshua will take place on December 10 in Manchester.

If the WBA denies their requests, then Joshua will still return on December 10 in Manchester - and Klitschko will also fight on the same date, but in Germany.

The potential Plan B opponent for Joshua is Kubrat Pulev.

The potential Plan B opponent for Klitschko is Lucas Browne.

[Killer Blow]

Are you an insider?

Whatever he's done, he's still fought top opponents for years and traveled numerous times for title matches. What signs has AJ given that he plans to fight top opponents abroad? Weird that you'd single out Wlad in this case.....

That was when he was in his prime. He's currently past his prime and coming off a loss. A fight with Joshua in the UK means it will be an evenish playing field. That's too risky for him. He needs a dodgy canvas, excessive holding etc.

[crusader]

He was just going to fight in the UK against a British fighter who beat him the last time out, right before the Fury loss he beat a top ten contender from the US in New York, and of course shortly before that he traveled to Russia and beat Povetkin.

Again, AJ has had all his fights in the UK and hasn't fought anyone serious. If Wlad trying to fight in Germany says he doesn't have confidence in his ability to beat good opponents, AJ seems to be even more weary.

[Killer Blow]

Like I said, we'll see where Joshua fights in the next year or so. Maybe you're right. Also, Wlad never officially agreed to fight Joshua in the UK. It was never announced officially. I know he agreed to fight Fury, but that was a different situation.

[crusader]

So he was going to fight in the UK against a British guy who just beat him, he faced Jennings in the US, and he fought Povetkin in Russia.

That's just within the last few years, and there are several more examples, such as him becoming unified champ by winning in Madison Square Garden, knocking out Thompson in Switzerland, and halting Barrett in the UK.

[Killer Blow]

So he was going to fight in the UK against a guy who just beat him, he fought Jennings in the US, and he fought Povetkin in Russia.

How many other elite fighters with major drawing power travel like that?

He didn't have a choice with Fury. And how many current elite fighters held a world title for as long as he did? He defended his title twice or something outside of Germany in something like 20 defences? I'm sure if Joshua/Wilder had 20 consecutive title defences they'd fight outside of home turf more than that