IBF Heavyweight - What next if Whyte refuses?

[candyslim]

Jesus is that the best they can come up with a has-been versus a journeyman ?

At least Whyte would have shown us whether Pulev is still relevant or not, mind you I think Whyte v Parker is a better fight even if it is very high risk for little reward for both men.

[Serragon]

According to the latest rankings by the IBF, the following guys are all ranked higher than Dimitrenko and should be available to fight..

5. hughie fury
6. Carlos Takam
8. Agit Kabayel
9. Otto Wallin
10. Erken Teper

How did Dimitrenko get the nod? Did all of these guys turn down the opportunity?

[joshj909]

According to the latest rankings by the IBF, the following guys are all ranked higher than Dimitrenko and should be available to fight..

5. hughie fury
6. Carlos Takam
8. Agit Kabayel
9. Otto Wallin
10. Erken Teper

How did Dimitrenko get the nod? Did all of these guys turn down the opportunity?

The eliminator got called before these updated rankings and he was above them all in the previous one. However, none of them have fought since then (except Hughie?) so i'm unsure why he's dropped down the rankings unless he has turned it down already (see Whyte, Breazeale)

[joshj909]

Does anyone think Hughie (5) would go to Bulgaria as he's likely be called for the final eliminator? he's next in line after everyone else has turned it down. Other than that i could see it going as far down the list as Teper (10) or Dinu (14).

[Enlightened-One]

I can’t believe the IBF have ordered a bout between Pulev and Dimitrenko. They should have followed their own rules and named the next highest ranked challenger, because there must have been someone better than the German? Surely?

Peter Fury stated his desire (a couple of weeks ago) to orchestrate a mandatory challenger position for his son, Hughie… and I don’t recall the IBF ever ordering a bout between Pulev and the fifth ranked Fury.

"It would be a good fight between Pulev and Hughie," said Peter Fury. "That's a fight we would definitely be interested in, if it could be made. I know Mick [Hennessy Sports] is looking at all options at the moment."

[joshj909]

I can’t believe the IBF have ordered a bout between Pulev and Dimitrenko. They should have followed their own rules and named the next highest ranked challenger, because there must have been someone better than the German? Surely?

Peter Fury stated his desire (a couple of weeks ago) to orchestrate a mandatory challenger position for his son, Hughie… and I don’t recall the IBF ever ordering a bout between Pulev and the fifth ranked Fury.

"It would be a good fight between Pulev and Hughie," said Peter Fury. "That's a fight we would definitely be interested in, if it could be made. I know Mick [Hennessy Sports] is looking at all options at the moment."

Dimitrenko rejected it before it went to purse bids i think (he's now fighting Jennings in August). Miller's team has publicly rejected going to Bulgaria, which therefore leaves Hughie next in line so i'm guessing Peter is going off the assumption that Fury v Pulev will be called next.

Is Pulev currently the most ducked fighter in the Heavyweight division? Breazeale, Whyte, Miller, Dimitrenko have all turned down the fight...

[Enlightened-One]

I can’t believe the IBF have ordered a bout between Pulev and Dimitrenko. They should have followed their own rules and named the next highest ranked challenger, because there must have been someone better than the German? Surely?

Peter Fury stated his desire (a couple of weeks ago) to orchestrate a mandatory challenger position for his son, Hughie… and I don’t recall the IBF ever ordering a bout between Pulev and the fifth ranked Fury.

"It would be a good fight between Pulev and Hughie," said Peter Fury. "That's a fight we would definitely be interested in, if it could be made. I know Mick [Hennessy Sports] is looking at all options at the moment."

Dimitrenko rejected it before it went to purse bids i think (he's now fighting Jennings in August). Miller's team has publicly rejected going to Bulgaria, which therefore leaves Hughie next in line so i'm guessing Peter is going off the assumption that Fury v Pulev will be called next.

Is Pulev currently the most ducked fighter in the Heavyweight division? Breazeale, Whyte, Miller, Dimitrenko have all turned down the fight...

I clearly can’t keep up with the Pulev situation!

I think one of the main problems about Pulev’s situation relates to the IBF’s rules, because whoever faces the Bulgarian is only entitled to a 25% share of the purse pot. Also, politics is another important factor.

I do hope that we get to see a bout between Kubrat Pulev and Hughie Fury. The IBF should order that.

[candyslim]

That's exactly it. The purse is hardly impressive so top fighters are not going to want to go to Sofia for 25%. As the IBF search lower down their rankings for a viable opponent who wants the fight, that sum of money isn't going to increase. Either the promoters have to give up the dream of hosting it in Bulgaria or the list of those saying "Thanks but no thanks" is likely to grow.

If they stick to their policy of dropping these ungrateful wretches from their rankings, the IBF might soon be struggling to put together a top ten of even modest credibility.

[African Monkey]

The only people I can see fighting Pulev are Erkan Teper and maybe Bogdan Dinu. Wouldn't mind seeing Dinu get an opportunity to see how good he is. Teper would lose in a 12 round snoozefest.

[Pukka Cheese]

Does anyone think Hughie (5) would go to Bulgaria as he's likely be called for the final eliminator? he's next in line after everyone else has turned it down. Other than that i could see it going as far down the list as Teper (10) or Dinu (14).

Hughie would surely have to go for it? Great opportunity for him