Alexander Povetkin vs. David Price

[asdfjkl]

Wilder is fighting someone much better than Whyte, and is a real test and real risk. I don't think anyone is disappointed he isn't fighting Whyte. Whyte was being used only to get Wilder off of Joshua's trail anyway. Hearn promised to make the fight next.
Why didn't they line up Whyte vs Povetkin if they want to market him in the UK? Better than the glass jawed Price.

Because Povetkin is much better and harder, Whyte probably didn't dare that, Wilder probably knows something again to avoid Ortiz, just like last time, when I also predicted that correct, sadly, Wilder is very predictable. I wonder what's his excuse this time.

Oh yeah, you're the guy who's clairvoyant. You know exactly what fights will be canceled and when.

Maybe you've already answered this question. If so, I apologize to you profusely.

But why is Wilder---according to you Karnak---avoiding Ortiz? Cuz didn't he sign to fight him in just a month?

And what do you mean about Wilder having an excuse? I thought it was Ortiz who flubbed his drug test and was suspended. Wasn't it the big Cuban who needed an excuse?

BTW, since you see all and know all, exactly what round will Wilder KO Ortiz if somehow the fight transpires March 3?

I want to put big bucks on it, and with your incredible Nostradamus like powers, you're the only one here I can trust.

Ortiz won't get KOed, maybe the fight will randomly get stopped, but it won't have anything to do with a KO. I predicted Stiverne would get KOed in round 1, I predicted Arreola fight would get stopped in the 8:

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f ... a#p4436092
http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f ... e#p4781821

[jamamb]

a month till deontays haters cry and bring out even more excuses

[candyslim]

Very interesting to be sure. Are there many people that follow this ancient religion?

I agree that Povetkin's people probably regard the Price fight as a waste of time on one level but they are smart enough to appreciate that this will raise Sasha's profile in the UK (Price is one of the better known British heavyweights) and that getting known by Joshua's casual fans as that Russian guy who recently demolished Price, won't do any harm at all to the UK pay per view numbers, and should enhance the challenger's bargaining power.

I would think that the average British boxing buff wouldn't be overly impressed if Povetkin does the expected and demolishes Price in short order.

Correct me if I'm wrong, my British amigos, but didn't you pretty much give up on Price several years back when it became evident that his chin couldn't withstand the rigors of world class competition?

Don't most (all?) of you assume that Povetkin will put the damaged Price out of his misery quickly and that it will do little to elevate the Russian's status?

I can't imagine Britain clamoring for a Joshua-Povetkin showdown simply because the latter was able to dismiss Price in a breeze.

A lot of heavyweights, some not all that talented, could do the same.

By the way, Povetkin has opened as a not so surprisingly heavy 20-1 favorite.

In perspective, Eubank is a little better than a 2-1 choice over Groves in a few weeks, and Khan is also a 20-1 pick over lightly regarded Phil Lo Greco.

What you say is mostly true but there are a lot of casual Joshua fans who don't really know much about boxing. They will probably know Price though even if they are aware he's now regarded as damaged goods.

The point is it puts Povetkin in the spotlight and gives people who don't know him, the chance to see what he can do.

Badhusker says why not fight Dillian Whyte?

Well maybe in an ideal world, but both guys are mandatory challengers and it's not unreasonable if they don't want to jeopardize a title shot by fighting someone too dangerous. You have to be mindful of the fact this is a business first and a sport second. I think Whyte deserves credit for risking his mandatory against someone as tough as Lucas Browne never mind Povetkin, and Povetkin has no need to risk himself against a live one in Dillian when he stands to make a lot of money against Joshua in the summer.

Yeah I know many will say "that's a disgrace, they should be fighting all the top guys" and I do have a lot of sympathy for that point of view, but these are professional fighters whose loyalty is firstly to themselves and their loved ones. They are going to do what is the best thing for them and that generally won't include losing out on their big-money fight when they don't need to.

But Wilder is fighting Ortiz, the bogeyman I hear you say. That's true and it is the biggest of risks with the unification fight at stake. I give him a lot of respect for that although I think that's very courageous and none too smart. I do think though that Wilder's pride has been stung by the barrage of criticism about his resume, and he feels compelled to set the record straight. Nobody is accusing Povetkin or Whyte of always fighting turkeys so they are not feeling the pressure to do something heroic.

[burim]

a month till deontays haters cry and bring out even more excuses

I've never been a fan of Wilder but yes, if he beats Ortiz i'll be convinced he is legit

And i don't think Joshua/Povetkin will happen unless there is a charming offer for the fight to happen in Russia

[candyslim]

The only way Joshua v Povetkin doesn't happen is if Josh loses to Parker or Wilder in the meantime. Povetkin is now the WBA mandatory and WBO too if I've got that right, which means he will get his title shot pretty soon (unless Price amazes us all).

Unless Wilder gets real with his percentage demands I can see Povetkin challenging for one or more of these titles before Wilder does.

[SteveO]

And i don't think Joshua/Povetkin will happen unless there is a charming offer for the fight to happen in Russia

It will have to happen because the winner of Povetkin-Price will be AJ's WBA mandatory challenger.
It could well be at Wembley Stadium in the summer if terms with the Wilder-Ortiz victor can not be agreed.

Edit: Candyslim you just beat me to it.

[candyslim]

What do I win?

[SenorPipino]

And i don't think Joshua/Povetkin will happen unless there is a charming offer for the fight to happen in Russia

It will have to happen because the winner of Povetkin-Price will be AJ's WBA mandatory challenger.
It could well be at Wembley Stadium in the summer if terms with the Wilder-Ortiz victor can not be agreed.

Edit: Candyslim you just beat me to it.

It's not like mandatory challengers never go years waiting for their promised shot.

No guarantees. Money comes first.

[candyslim]

True but that varies between which governing body is doing the mandating and who the champion is. I guess we shouldn't expect consistency and integrity from these self-serving money grubbers, we know better than that don't we?

[jamamb]

povetkin going to wales to fight on an aj undercard suggests to me that his team is probably open to fighting aj in uk.

i mean it will be a crushing loss away from home, but hell get a serious pay day. aj is a serious payday on his own, but with the financial clout povs financial backers have (to pressue hearn) and the mandatory status, povetkin is looking at millions and millions and millions to go to the uk for josh

hes almost 40 and cant really wait things out anyway.

[candyslim]

Yup

[asdfjkl]

povetkin going to wales to fight on an aj undercard suggests to me that his team is probably open to fighting aj in uk.

i mean it will be a crushing loss away from home, but hell get a serious pay day. aj is a serious payday on his own, but with the financial clout povs financial backers have (to pressue hearn) and the mandatory status, povetkin is looking at millions and millions and millions to go to the uk for josh

hes almost 40 and cant really wait things out anyway.

TBH I wouldn't even be surprised if AJ wants to go to Russia either, Povetkin isn't what he used to be any more and it will make AJ's story even better, "where Wilder stopped, AJ continued, and that even without beïng forced to!"

[BitPlayer]

povetkin going to wales to fight on an aj undercard suggests to me that his team is probably open to fighting aj in uk.

i mean it will be a crushing loss away from home, but hell get a serious pay day. aj is a serious payday on his own, but with the financial clout povs financial backers have (to pressue hearn) and the mandatory status, povetkin is looking at millions and millions and millions to go to the uk for josh

hes almost 40 and cant really wait things out anyway.

TBH I wouldn't even be surprised if AJ wants to go to Russia either, Povetkin isn't what he used to be any more and it will make AJ's story even better, "where Wilder stopped, AJ continued, and that even without beïng forced to!"

I don't think it'd impress anyone. Everyone either just sees Povetkin as a massive drug cheat or Wilder as a massive coward

[candyslim]

Many do to be sure, but I think Joshua would get a lot of credit as Asdfjkl says. Other than Vegas, Moscow represents one of the best places Joshua can make serious money outside the UK (excepting massive offers from the Saudis or Gulf Arabs etc)

I think it would make a lot of sense in legacy terms, but the Price v Povetkin fight is a good indicator that the fight will take place in the UK, assuming Joshua is still champion of course.

[asdfjkl]

Too bad Wilder managed to escape from Povetkin, but AJ got titles as well, so he's a nice option as well.