Heavyweight Legends criticise Hearn & Joshua

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn came under fire from heavyweight legends and Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Gray out in Los Angeles on the eve of Deontay Wilder’s showdown with Tyson Fury.

Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Michael Spinks, Gerry Cooney, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers and James “Buster” Douglas were in attendance to address the media and conversation soon switched from tomorrow’s showdown to the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, Joshua.

The unbeaten Brit and his promoter Eddie Hearn were involved in drawn out negotiations with Wilder in the summer with reports of a $50m offer from the WBC champion’s team failing to bring the two heavyweights together. Instead, Joshua faced WBA mandatory, Alexander Povetkin, in September.

“Deontay Wilder came to England to challenge Anthony Joshua but Joshua didn’t answer the call so Tyson Fury answered the call,” said Lennox Lewis.

Evander Holyfield added: “I think to truly be the heavyweight champion of the world you have to fight any guy in the world – if the money is the right amount.”

So would $50m be the right amount?

“I’m in business,” laughed Holyfield.

“We’re gladiators and we’re in a gladiator’s sport,” Lewis said, “you have to take on all-comers. If you don’t the public will say, ‘You are supposed to be the best, so fight the best.’ That’s the way it should be.”

Attention soon turned to Eddie Hearn’s role in Joshua’s career.

“But you have to think maybe it’s Eddie Hearn who doesn’t want the fight [with Wilder],” said Cooney. “Over in the UK he can sell out 80,000 seats for Joshua fighting B-rated guys like [Alexander] Povetkin.”

Lewis infamously couldn’t get Riddick Bowe in the ring in the 90s when both ruled over the division. Back then, Bowe – who had lost to Lewis in the 1988 Olympic final – was advised to dump his WBC belt in the bin. Lewis was later awarded the title but failed to tempt Bowe, managed by Rock Newman, into a superfight.

“If it had been up to me, I would have fought Lennox Lewis. If I could do it all again I would fight Lennox.”

Lewis, the last man regarded as ‘undisputed’ heavyweight champion, said: “I was leading my own career so I told my manager who I wanted to fight.”

Holyfield, with tongue in cheek, admitted his manager Lou Duva chose his opponents for him.

“I left that to Lou. I didn’t want to choose because I might pick someone who would beat me and then I’d be sad.”

Holyfield won the heavyweight title for the first time in 1990 when he knocked out Buster Douglas in three rounds.

“Unfortunately I chose who I wanted to fight and I wanted to fight this man,” said Douglas. “I wanted to fight the best. Champions should fight the best.”

[Nightmare Roy]

Hearn will let AJ fight him eventually, but after Saturday he'll have a loss on his record

[KiwiRider]

Hearn will let AJ fight him eventually, but after Saturday he'll have a loss on his record

Yeah, and Wilder will still want a 50/50 purse split

[ironbeard]

I do not agree with the criticism of AJ’s resume. Waiting for the winner of this was a good move. If Wilder wins, the AJ fight will be MUCH more lucrative and megafight in 2019 than it would have been this year.

Same if Fury wins, because this fight has raised his profile here immensely.

[TheGman]

If povetkin parker whyte etc are b class fighters what the hell has wilder been fighting? Lewis didnt fight bowe so was that lewis fault? Did he rob the public of the best fight at that time in 1993? Take away wilder and joshua has fought the best fighters ranked in the division its wilder who hasnt and he is only fighting fury cause he thinks fury wont be ready after 2 comeback fights. End of the day joshua has the best opponents on his record in the heavyweight division and thats fact so bowe holyfield lewis cooney and co need to pull their heads out of wilder bum hole

[Nightmare Roy]

I also think AJ has the best CV but I think it'll be a close call with the winner of Saturday's fight

[ewenhay]

It's a fair comment I think.

This is the most interesting fight at heavyweight for years.

Certainly beats watching Hearn pick past prime fighters for Joshua to have all the advantages against.

[Stuarty]

I hate all this 'money has to be right' talk! If the money is over a certain amount (life changing money) then does it really matter how much it's over that amount? How much money do you need ffs! Drop the ego, stop being a fuckin diva and get on with it! These guys are fighters not fuckin Mariah Carey!

[HomicideHenry]

Hearn is a con-artist, pure and simple. I'll be laughing my ass off royally when Fury wins and ruins Hearn's dream of ruling the division by spoon feeding Joshua stiffs.

Mark my words, Fury wins and Hearn will still demand for AJ/Wilder and then will want Usyk. They want no part of Fury. Cus Fury's a man who can't be controlled. AJ is Pinocchio before coming to life, he moves when Hearn pulls the strings.

As for the old guys at the press conference, everyone but Lennox picked Wilder. I chalk it up to American bias. America hasn't had a decent Heavyweight in many years. But Wilder isn't someone to get behind. Even if he wins, he's still going to be the same unhinged asshole who beat up 150 pound nutcase Zelenoff. Who wants that as world champion?

[Stuarty]

If povetkin parker whyte etc are b class fighters what the hell has wilder been fighting? Lewis didnt fight bowe so was that lewis fault? Did he rob the public of the best fight at that time in 1993? Take away wilder and joshua has fought the best fighters ranked in the division its wilder who hasnt and he is only fighting fury cause he thinks fury wont be ready after 2 comeback fights. End of the day joshua has the best opponents on his record in the heavyweight division and thats fact so bowe holyfield lewis cooney and co need to pull their heads out of wilder bum hole

Povetkin was a top level opponent but was well past his best. Parker and Whyte are B level guys. Tough but limited. Today's crop of heavies are far less talented than that of Lewis's day. AJ has a good resume in this day and age but there's not been anyone out there who's put the fear in anyone part from Wilder and no matter what way you look at it, it looks as if they've swerved that one. He's a cash cow and Hearn and Sky etc want to milk him dry before risking him against a genuine threat.... Just my opinion...

[ironbeard]

I hate all this 'money has to be right' talk! If the money is over a certain amount (life changing money) then does it really matter how much it's over that amount? How much money do you need ffs! Drop the ego, stop being a fuckin diva and get on with it! These guys are fighters not fuckin Mariah Carey!

Don’t tell them that (the Mariah Carey part).

[keithmoonhangover]

Fury ducked Price and Bellew and priced himself out of a Joshua fight.

Wilder turned down a career high purse to fight his number one contender.

[keirw]

Fury ducked Price and Bellew and priced himself out of a Joshua fight.

Wilder turned down a career high purse to fight his number one contender.

Let's not let facts get in the way of a good story.

These guys are there to help promote the fight and the best way to do that is to make both fighters out to be fearless warriors who strike fear into the heart of everyone.

[Cyclops]

Fury ducked Price and Bellew and priced himself out of a Joshua fight.

Wilder turned down a career high purse to fight his number one contender.

I’m with you on the Price duck and the Ustinov pullout was also a little suspect. But Bellew was never really seriously on the table, was it? If you’re going that direction you might as well throw Whyte in there as well as he was part of Hearn’s alleged planned Fury comeback wasn’t he?

[Wa1nuts]

Hearn is a con-artist, pure and simple. I'll be laughing my ass off royally when Fury wins and ruins Hearn's dream of ruling the division by spoon feeding Joshua stiffs.

Mark my words, Fury wins and Hearn will still demand for AJ/Wilder and then will want Usyk. They want no part of Fury. Cus Fury's a man who can't be controlled. AJ is Pinocchio before coming to life, he moves when Hearn pulls the strings.

As for the old guys at the press conference, everyone but Lennox picked Wilder. I chalk it up to American bias. America hasn't had a decent Heavyweight in many years. But Wilder isn't someone to get behind. Even if he wins, he's still going to be the same unhinged asshole who beat up 150 pound nutcase Zelenoff. Who wants that as world champion?

Spot on

[keithmoonhangover]

Fury ducked Price and Bellew and priced himself out of a Joshua fight.

Wilder turned down a career high purse to fight his number one contender.

I’m with you on the Price duck and the Ustinov pullout was also a little suspect. But Bellew was never really seriously on the table, was it? If you’re going that direction you might as well throw Whyte in there as well as he was part of Hearn’s alleged planned Fury comeback wasn’t he?

He shook Bellew's hand on the fight. Bellew wanted the fight, Fury didn't want it. I ain't saying that Fury or WIlder are scared of fighting anyone, the same as Joshua isn't scared of either of them. Sometimes fights don't get made for many reasons. Joshua was never going to fight on BT and Wilder's team new that. IMO, Fury and Wilder are both guilty of using Joshua's name to promote themselves. It makes me chuckle that Wilder is insisting on a Joshua rematch if he loses, when he hasn't offered Fury the same deal.

[Wa1nuts]

I hate all this 'money has to be right' talk! If the money is over a certain amount (life changing money) then does it really matter how much it's over that amount? How much money do you need ffs! Drop the ego, stop being a fuckin diva and get on with it! These guys are fighters not fuckin Mariah Carey!

Exactly. It's pure greed. How much money can man need

[keithmoonhangover]

I hate all this 'money has to be right' talk! If the money is over a certain amount (life changing money) then does it really matter how much it's over that amount? How much money do you need ffs! Drop the ego, stop being a fuckin diva and get on with it! These guys are fighters not fuckin Mariah Carey!

It's not just about money, it's about venue, it's about TV rights, back end percentages, rematch clauses. Making a massive fight, which Fury and WIlder ain't, is always goign to be hard, for many different reasons.

I do get where AJ is coming from though. He sells 80k tickets and brings in massive revenue. Wilder isn't a ticket seller, yet he wants a huge percentage and a rematch or two. I think 66/33 is the right split for AJ-Wilder. What do you think?

[keithmoonhangover]

Hearn is a con-artist, pure and simple. I'll be laughing my ass off royally when Fury wins and ruins Hearn's dream of ruling the division by spoon feeding Joshua stiffs.

Mark my words, Fury wins and Hearn will still demand for AJ/Wilder and then will want Usyk. They want no part of Fury. Cus Fury's a man who can't be controlled. AJ is Pinocchio before coming to life, he moves when Hearn pulls the strings.

As for the old guys at the press conference, everyone but Lennox picked Wilder. I chalk it up to American bias. America hasn't had a decent Heavyweight in many years. But Wilder isn't someone to get behind. Even if he wins, he's still going to be the same unhinged asshole who beat up 150 pound nutcase Zelenoff. Who wants that as world champion?

When Fury gets beat, you'll need to edit this post and eat some humble pie.

[ewenhay]

I hate all this 'money has to be right' talk! If the money is over a certain amount (life changing money) then does it really matter how much it's over that amount? How much money do you need ffs! Drop the ego, stop being a fuckin diva and get on with it! These guys are fighters not fuckin Mariah Carey!

It's all about having all the advantages these days. And I mean every advantage, gloves, venue, ring size, how soft the canvas is, ropes, dehydration, catch weight, it will be the size of the cup on the jockstrap next.

I agree with you completely. Nobody wants to dare to be great any more.

[ewenhay]

I hate all this 'money has to be right' talk! If the money is over a certain amount (life changing money) then does it really matter how much it's over that amount? How much money do you need ffs! Drop the ego, stop being a fuckin diva and get on with it! These guys are fighters not fuckin Mariah Carey!

It's all about having all the advantages these days. And I mean every advantage, gloves, venue, ring size, how soft the canvas is, ropes, dehydration, catch weight, it will be the size of the cup on the jockstrap next.

"The fight is off because Joshua isn't happy Wilder is wearing black pants because he wants to wear black pants. "

I agree with you completely. Nobody wants to dare to be great any more.

[Stuarty]

I hate all this 'money has to be right' talk! If the money is over a certain amount (life changing money) then does it really matter how much it's over that amount? How much money do you need ffs! Drop the ego, stop being a fuckin diva and get on with it! These guys are fighters not fuckin Mariah Carey!

It's not just about money, it's about venue, it's about TV rights, back end percentages, rematch clauses. Making a massive fight, which Fury and WIlder ain't, is always goign to be hard, for many different reasons.

I do get where AJ is coming from though. He sells 80k tickets and brings in massive revenue. Wilder isn't a ticket seller, yet he wants a huge percentage and a rematch or two. I think 66/33 is the right split for AJ-Wilder. What do you think?

I'm not too sure tbh mate. I just find all the money talk fuckin tedious. I knock my pan in 40/50 hours a week, pay my bills, my kids, ex partners etc etc and all I want to do is watch good fights and these cùnts are flapping over percentage points.

I do get that there's a lot more to it though as you rightly mentioned. Must be a fuckin headache negotiating!

[HomicideHenry]

When Fury gets beat, you'll need to edit this post and eat some humble pie.

And..... Would you like that slab of pie plain or with a dollop of creme you bastard jk, what a fight!

[jamamb]

tonights result imo takes pressure off from aj vs wilder , now fury vs aj in uk is just as big vs aj as wilder

[keithmoonhangover]

When Fury gets beat, you'll need to edit this post and eat some humble pie.

And..... Would you like that slab of pie plain or with a dollop of creme you bastard jk, what a fight!

I'll have some custard please mate.