Oleksandr Usyk signs deal with Matchroom Boxing

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Looks like it’s co-promotion. Usyk can have some really good fights over here and what better than Sky to broadcast them.

Does this mean he’s a threat to AJ? I mean Hearn did sign Ortiz too when he was going to be a threat to AJ..

[Ruthless-RKO]

Usyk has said:

"Fans can look forward to watching me take on the biggest and best names in the sport. Boxing for me is all about drama and victory, and there is plenty more to come. A fight with [former cruiserweight titlist] Tony Bellew would be a momentous occasion. He is a good boxer and a good person, and I also have the option to move into the heavyweight division."

"Thankfully, England is more than just a country for me. In this country, I got what I was reaching for half of my life. I got my Olympic gold medal [in London], and in Liverpool I became European champion in 2008. England is a lucky country for me, and fortune comes only with hard work."

Eddie Hearn has said:

"Usyk holds all the cards at cruiserweight and is already eyeing a move to heavyweight and in particular a fight with Anthony Joshua. Right now our priority is to try and finalize a super fight with Tony Bellew later this year, but either way we will announce his next fight in the very near future."

Alex Krassyuk of K2 Promotions has said:

"I am delighted to start our cooperation with Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn in particular, whom I consider to be the most successful promoter of the present time. In his 15 fights to date, [Usyk] has created history by becoming the first cruiserweight to unify all four belts, and there is more history to be made. He knows that in order to become the king of world boxing, he will have to dethrone the biggest name in boxing -- Anthony Joshua. But this is for the future. For now, a cruiserweight showdown with Tony Bellew is our focus. We are hoping the deal will be finalized shortly and the fight will be announced soon."

[DrDuke]

Wow, Eddie grabbed a piece of the pie. However, it's a mutual value. Usyk is a one of the modern boxing stars, Matchroom is arguably the best promotion today. Looking forward to watch big events featuring Usyk.

[boxing_rocks]

Hope now Hearn persuades WBA to allow Usyk vs Bellew.

[Enlightened-One]

I’m particularly interested in K2’s relationship with Matchroom boxing.

Is it going to be a partnership, like Eddie Hearn’s deal with the Sauerland’s to share their big fights, or is it restricted solely to the TV rights and promotional activities for Oleksandr Usyk’s bouts?

K2 Promotions are one of HBO’s boxing content providers, but nearly all of the fighters contracted to Matchroom will have their bouts exclusively televised by DAZN/Sky, so this new development is kind of interesting.

Does this mean he’s a threat to AJ? I mean Hearn did sign Ortiz too when he was going to be a threat to AJ..

Eddie Hearn temporarily signed Luis Ortiz to his stable, with a view to eventually pit the Cuban against Anthony Joshua, but the “fearsome” self-named ‘King Kong’ decided to jump ship and sign with Al Haymon, because he failed miserably to entertain UK fight fans when he delivered terribly dire performances against David Allen and Malik Scott.

Boxing content providers prefer to stage bouts between in-house fighters, as we’ve already witnessed with the fight cards staged by the likes of Top Rank, PBC, GBP, Matchroom, Queensberry etc., because there are fewer obstacles to make fights, the ownership of titles are retained, rematches are easier to make, it’s easy to “pass the torch” and the promoter/network always “wins” regardless the outcome of bouts.

The Matchroom boss will not hesitate to stage a bout between AJ and Usyk, if there is sufficient demand for it, but I reckon he’ll keep the pair apart and allow the Ukraine to build his name, because contrary to popular opinion, Oleksandr isn’t currently considered a big enough name that draws impressive TV viewing figures.

Oleksandr Usyk will now have the opportunity to face fellow Matchroom guys like Tony Bellew, Jarrell Miller, Anthony Joshua, Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte, as well other fighters tied to promoters that Eddie Hearn has established a business partnership with.

It is mandatory for any fighter, who wants their bouts televised by Sky and DAZN, to work with Matchroom in some sort of capacity, hence the reason for Usyk’s deal with Eddie Hearn.

[jamamb]

Looks like it’s co-promotion. Usyk can have some really good fights over here and what better than Sky to broadcast them.

Does this mean he’s a threat to AJ? I mean Hearn did sign Ortiz too when he was going to be a threat to AJ..

you can just as easily say hearn wants usyk to help build him up for aj to beat. this happens all the time with star fighters. guys there gonna fight get hyped.

[candyslim]

Cue various knobheads saying Hearn has done this to keep Usyk away from Joshua.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Cue various knobheads saying Hearn has done this to keep Usyk away from Joshua.

Will be good to see Usyk fight in the UK.

He’s only fought twice in USA. But never in the UK as a pro. He’s going to gain a stronger following now.

[candyslim]

Oh yes. He's not one of our own but quality fighters will always be welcome and appreciated by the UK fans.

[ElJefe]

Absolutely. Wouldn't mind going to Usyk-Bellew if it was in Liverpool or Manchester. Eddie said the other day it'd probably be in London as the Echo (Liverpool) is too small. He then said he didn't think the O2 was available. Not sure where else they'd go in London and surely Manchester would make more sense anyway given it being about 45 minutes away from Liverpool?

[KiwiRider]

I think it's great news.
Everyone wants Usyk to step up to HW. Eddie has the in house stepping stones to AJ.
Fighting Bomber (and beating him) then moving to HW on an AJ undercard- perfect career profile booster. Two years and 4-5 fights and he's a big enough draw to fight AJ if he keeps winning. Oh, I know I'm speculating, but Eddie is a master of the long game.

[Thomastearns]

Great for Hearn to get some more insurance just in case of the unlikely event of anything happening to Joshua.

Warren's seems to have Fury for now and Dubois for later.

Haymon's got Wilder.

This feels like the days when Don King would do anything to get the heavyweight champion of the world to sign for him.

The difference is that Hearn's got them coming to him! His dad employed a similar strategy in snooker, signing almost everyone apart from the virtually unmanageable genius Alex Higgins.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think it's great news.
Everyone wants Usyk to step up to HW. Eddie has the in house stepping stones to AJ.
Fighting Bomber (and beating him) then moving to HW on an AJ undercard- perfect career profile booster. Two years and 4-5 fights and he's a big enough draw to fight AJ if he keeps winning. Oh, I know I'm speculating, but Eddie is a master of the long game.

Manchester holds 21k.. ECHO holds 11k..

Echo is too small for this. Matchroom and Sky will hype the crap outta this..

[jewboypgh]

Usyk beats wilder and def joshua

[candyslim]

I'm sure one of them will oblige you and put your theory to the test before too long.

No prizes for guessing which of the two, sorry.