Jarell Miller stand-in: who would you prefer?

[HeavyHitters]

They'd have 6 for gods sake

Only 6 weeks, huh? Then why not at least train enough to stay about 80% when in between scheduled fights!? Especially if you are a top heavyweight now-a-days! It seems half of the championship fights fall out for some reason or another, so being ready to go with limited notice should be anticipated! Especially if you want to make money in the sport, and especially if you want a chance of a lifetime at a heavyweight title!

This day and age, the sport of boxing has its fair share of gifted and talented fighters, but not enough of them possess true heart, courage, and a willingness to take on "great opportunities" when presented!

Millennials.... what else can you say!?

[oogiebe]

Only 6 weeks, huh? Then why not at least train enough to stay about 80% when in between scheduled fights!? Especially if you are a top heavyweight now-a-days! It seems half of the championship fights fall out for some reason or another, so being ready to go with limited notice should be anticipated! Especially if you want to make money in the sport, and especially if you want a chance of a lifetime at a heavyweight title!

This day and age, the sport of boxing has its fair share of gifted and talented fighters, but not enough of them possess true heart, courage, and a willingness to take on "great opportunities" when presented!

Millennials.... what else can you say!?

Yeah, like the old saying. "Success is where preparation meets opportunity."

[JimStone]

They would piss clean for many substances in a day or two. A week would see them piss clean for most things. So the clock started a day ago already when they knew they may be in the hot seat ( when miller failed) and come straight off, start negotiating but take a couple days and they’ll be fine.

That's too simplistic. These guys have doping passports and levels of synthetic testosterone variants can leave them way over their baselines for up to a month after a cycle is concluded.

[HeavyHitters]

Yes, I didn't think about that scenario at first. If Ortiz is offered the fight, but ends up turning it down, it could be that he "knows" he will not pass the drug test. I'm only speculating though.

I would like to think 6-7 weeks of preparation would be enough for Ortiz, given that it would be a great payday in the final stages of his career. And him being a "puncher" means he would still have a shot of winning, regardless if he would be at 75% or 100% by fight night.

[the_doctor]

Golden opportunity for Ortiz.

He's already lost his "0" so no problems there. A chance to fight the guy who has supposedly been ducking him for however long. Plus, Joshua has been training for a orthodox brawler rather than a skilled southpaw.

He'd turn that down for another chance at Wilder? For what, another $500k?

That's assuming its offered to him, which it may not be.

[NoScoutingReports]

Golden opportunity for Ortiz.

He's already lost his "0" so no problems there. A chance to fight the guy who has supposedly been ducking him for however long. Plus, Joshua has been training for a orthodox brawler rather than a skilled southpaw.

He'd turn that down for another chance at Wilder? For what, another $500k?

That's assuming its offered to him, which it may not be.

Agreed - at his age (f*ck knows what it is exactly, but it's old) he has to take the chance, surely?

[jameswilson]

If we could get the Pulev IBF mando done with it would get something out the way and maintain a top 10-15 opponent.

[KiwiRider]

Ummmmm. Maybe holding out for a bigger payday?

Hiding out more likely.
They say he has a fight coming up.
No date, no opponent, but yeah, he's busy and can't fight AJ
So this "opponent" is worth sacrificing a chance of 3 belts and many times more money than he has ever seen
What a Wank. Kownacki is off my Christmas list, the tosser.

[tobyh5]

So this "opponent" is worth sacrificing a chance of 3 belts and many times more money than he has ever seen

I do not really know much about this kid, but what I will say is that if I was a HW who felt that I was capable of winning the title, I would not take a shot which reduces my chances of winning (short notice, not able to put together a complete camp) but would instead carry on my path of earning my shot which would come on terms to suit myself.

If I believed in myself, believed I would win the title and be the best, I would know my time would come as no one would beat me in each step up I took en route so they would eventually have to fight me when I was ready.

[chinarich]

Murat Gassiev is heading to heavyweight, has signed with Hearn and will be fighting in June

[tobyh5]

Murat Gassiev is heading to heavyweight, has signed with Hearn and will be fighting in June

I had the same thought, but surely not.

[oogiebe]

Murat Gassiev is heading to heavyweight, has signed with Hearn and will be fighting in June

No way, no how. Gassiev is young and will take more time than Usyk to get a crack at a title.

[chinarich]

I had the same thought, but surely not.

I’m sure there’s zero chance, but the timing and the date given the circumstances makes one wonder...

[MasterG]

Whyte says he will fight AJ if terms are right.

Cheeky fecker, offer him a million, if he's confident he can beat the champ he will take it. He only wants a pension fund.

[Jan92]

Fres Oquendo
No. I Would like to prefer Luis Ortiz.
I think he could beat AJ!

[overhand_right]

If I believed in myself, believed I would win the title and be the best, I would know my time would come as no one would beat me in each step up I took en route so they would eventually have to fight me when I was ready.

All well and good but remember Alex Garcia turned down a million dollar title fight with Riddick Bowe and then got bounced on his head by Mike Dixon for a grand. I'd be inclined to take the money and run!

[jlh]

Id prefer Ortiz.

I think it will be Rob Brant. Unbeaten American and could sell it as some sort of mandatory.

[tobyh5]

All well and good but remember Alex Garcia turned down a million dollar title fight with Riddick Bowe and then got bounced on his head by Mike Dixon for a grand. I'd be inclined to take the money and run!

I get that and it's a tricky one tbh. Sell out your shot, limit your chances, screw up and never get another chance or say no, bide your time, earn a proper shot, take it and have your best chance of winning it (or trip up en route and as you say lose the pension money). Hard hard choice. Money vs true belief in self ability

[keithmoonhangover]

Id prefer Ortiz.

I think it will be Rob Brant. Unbeaten American and could sell it as some sort of mandatory.

Isn't he a middleweight?

[Tony1244]

Reggie Strickland

[chinarich]

I do not really know much about this kid, but what I will say is that if I was a HW who felt that I was capable of winning the title, I would not take a shot which reduces my chances of winning (short notice, not able to put together a complete camp) but would instead carry on my path of earning my shot which would come on terms to suit myself.

If I believed in myself, believed I would win the title and be the best, I would know my time would come as no one would beat me in each step up I took en route so they would eventually have to fight me when I was ready.

One defeat won't end his career. If he has the ability to be world champion then he can get it after a second or third crack at the title if he came up short this time because he was on short notice...

[JimStone]

I'd be interested to know who, if anyone, McCracken would knock back as a replacement. Is there anyone they'd be particularly wary of at relatively late notice?

I think Usyk and Gassiev would be avoided.

[Oiky]

Would love to see usyk or gassiev in there though

I bet they'd have the a**ehole for it too

[JimStone]

Either of those two would do for me. In fact, those two, Wilder and Fury are the only opponents I'm interested in at the moment. Think he has no worries with anyone else.

[lefthook82]

I'm amazed anybody would turn down the money that would be on offer.

6 weeks is not great prep but the profile, themoney, the win win opportunity. I'd be banging down the door