Michael Hunter to be confirmed on Tuesday

[SenorPipino]

I'd be a little surprised if Hearn didn't offer similar money that Miller was getting.

I mean they gotta be desperate to get a significant name in the ring for their US debut...

I don't think that there are significant names when it comes to heavyweight boxing in the US.

[Onetimeonly]

I’m sure we’d all like to see how much Ortiz was offered.
Miller money should be expected, perhaps a little more.

I always thought that a Miami fight between Joshua and Ortiz would be fantastic.

Hard to get Miami people to post for any sports. I was there one Nye and had to go to a dolphins playoff game to watch it.

[Rob3_142]

I don't think that there are significant names when it comes to heavyweight boxing in the US.

Ortiz is as significant as Miller, so if they want to get him in the ring, then they will need to pay him Miller money. As a minimum really.

If Ortiz wants more, then he's priced himself out.

[oogiebe]

Ortiz is as significant as Miller, so if they want to get him in the ring, then they will need to pay him Miller money. As a minimum really.

If Ortiz wants more, then he's priced himself out.

All we'll find out about is what the actual opponent will be paid. The rest is all bvllshvt.

[candyslim]

The most Ortiz ever earned for one fight was US$ 500k against Wilder. Are Ortiz's people honestly suggesting what they were offered by Hearn wasn't a serious improvement on that?

Hearn is not above making lowball offers when it suits, but for his sake, Joshua's and DAZN's this show needs to be a success and Ortiz would have ensured that Miller's replacement wasn't a massive let-down.

I don't believe Hearn would have been so stupid as to lose Ortiz by making a lowball offer. Hearn/Matchroom have been the instrument for increasing purses in boxing generally, don't forget. A lowball offer by Hearn for a Joshua fight is still measured in millions.

I heard at the weekend that the offer had been made and Ortiz was keen, but there was a big question mark over whether he would get approval from his management team. It also came out that he had been promised another shot at Wilder. There was nothing about the offer being inadequate at that time.

[Deleted_Scenes]

Ortiz is as significant as Miller, so if they want to get him in the ring, then they will need to pay him Miller money. As a minimum really.

If Ortiz wants more, then he's priced himself out.

One of the YouTube boxing channels (sporting icons maybe?) reported that Ortiz was apparently demanding $10m.

LA Times have also recently reported that PBC have promised Ortiz around $5m for a Wilder rematch.

Ortiz is taking the easier option.

No sense in breaking the bank when Hearn can put more in his pocket

I'm not sure it works like that. DAZN are footing the bill, with fighters getting fixed fees (as it's not a standard PPV model). If any money gets saved, I doubt Hearn sees any of it.

[Rob3_142]

One of the YouTube boxing channels (sporting icons maybe?) reported that Ortiz was apparently demanding $10m.

LA Times have also recently reported that PBC have promised Ortiz around $5m for a Wilder rematch.

Ortiz is taking the easier option.


I'm not sure it works like that. DAZN are footing the bill, with fighters getting fixed fees (as it's not a standard PPV model). If any money gets saved, I doubt Hearn sees any of it.

Some good points there.

If the demanded money is anything close to $10m, then Ortiz has screwed himself.

[Ruthless-RKO]

According to CelebsNetWorth, he's estimated to be worth around $20 million.

TMZ reported Ortiz earned upto $1.5m against Wilder. I'd rather trust ESPN.
*************************************************
Let's everyone put yourself in Ortiz's shoes.

You're 40 years old.. Nearing the end of your career..

Your highest career payday was $500k for the WBC belt. Most of your previous purses have ranged between $200k-$600k.

Made $375,000 against Kauffman.

You're being considered as a 6-week replacement to fight for 3 world title against Joshua at MSG, which is already nearly sold out.

How much DO YOU want to be paid? Knowing full well, it may be you'r final opportunity at a world title?

$1m? $2m? $3m? Would you like to at least match what Miller was guaranteed? $4.4m? Which means there will be no extra cost for DAZN/Matchroom. Or are you gonna ask for $10m?

[Fightnight Scores]

Naming big names.. low ball offers... playing it under the radar. All old school promotional tricks to make it appear no one wants the fight.
We all know it's going to be Hunter since he's part of team Hearns.
Just make the announcement and let's hope for a good fight

fans/news sites/social accounts/journalists all need to STOP feeding the heavyweight boxing merry-go-round PR machine until all the lies and bullshit stop. Don't give the promoters any attention to all the nonsense spewed & they might actually try to delivery something!

Impossible I know, but it's become so tedious. I am fed up of the heavyweight scene, plenty of other divisions to get excited about. Unfortunately it's the same promoters dealing with those guys too

[Rob3_142]

According to CelebsNetWorth, he's estimated to be worth around $20 million.

TMZ reported Ortiz earned upto $1.5m against Wilder. I'd rather trust ESPN.
*************************************************
Let's everyone put yourself in Ortiz's shoes.

You're 40 years old.. Nearing the end of your career..

Your highest career payday was $500k for the WBC belt. Most of your previous purses have ranged between $200k-$600k.

Made $375,000 against Kauffman.

You're being considered as a 6-week replacement to fight for 3 world title against Joshua at MSG, which is already nearly sold out.

How much DO YOU want to be paid? Knowing full well, it may be you'r final opportunity at a world title?

$1m? $2m? $3m? Would you like to at least match what Miller was guaranteed? $4.4m? Which means there will be no extra cost for DAZN/Matchroom. Or are you gonna ask for $10m?

Be that as it may, if he is going to ask for $10m, he's going to end up with nothing. Matchroom/DAZN do not owe anything to Ortiz because he's 40 years old. By all means, maximise your earnings, but don't make ridiculous demands, and end up with nothing. I agree that he should perhaps get a bit extra for being a last minute step in, but he also has to understand he is less of a draw than Miller, so the whole event loses some of its value.

If Ortiz wanted this fight, for potentially life changing money (which I'm pretty certain $4m is), then be a bit more savvy in your negotiations. Don't blow your load claiming its $10m or nothing.

[Onetimeonly]

If he thinks he can make more money for a more winnable fight than he made the right move. For all we know he's getting wilder in September if breazeale doesn't shatter his dreams.

[tiny_acres]

38 days until Joshua's American debut and still no opponent
This is getting ridiculous

[oogiebe]

38 days until Joshua's American debut and still no opponent
This is getting ridiculous

Getting???

[tiny_acres]

Getting???

They have had a week to get this crap finalized. They have to give an opponent time to train. I don't want to see this drag out any longer

[oogiebe]

They have had a week to get this crap finalized. They have to give an opponent time to train. I don't want to see this drag out any longer

Of course not. My post was alluding to the fact that it has GOTTEN ridiculous! Miller really gummed up the works. Hearn and AJ are in a bad spot.

[ValMar]

Getting???

[tiny_acres]

Of course not. My post was alluding to the fact that it has GOTTEN ridiculous! Miller really gummed up the works. Hearn and AJ are in a bad spot.

I blame Miller for this
But I'm getting more and more upset with Hearn. Offer some good money and get anyone with a top 10 rating from 1 of 3 alphabet groups.
How fuggin hard is that?

[oogiebe]

I blame Miller for this
But I'm getting more and more upset with Hearn. Offer some good money and get anyone with a top 10 rating from 1 of 3 alphabet groups.
How fuggin hard is that?

And it's Hearn's job to get an opponent, so it's his arse out there now.

[tiny_acres]

And it's Hearn's job to get an opponent, so it's his arse out there now.

X2

[Enlightened-One]

And it's Hearn's job to get an opponent, so it's his arse out there now.

When AJ was scheduled to face Kubrat Pulev, Eddie Hearn already had Carlos Takam lined-up as the Bulgarian’s replacement. The Frenchman was even told well beforehand to prepare himself for this bout.

When Anthony Joshua was scheduled to face Joseph Parker, Eddie Hearn employed the services of Alexander Povetkin as the potential stand-in, with the Russian competing on the undercard.

I strongly suspect that Eddie Hearn assumed Michael Hunter was the backup for Jarrell Miller for at least the last three weeks, with Matchroom currently doing their best to find someone better in order to minimise the media backlash or to create the illusion that they at least made offers to other fighters that were subsequently rejected.

Can anyone notice a coincidence about the timings of these events?

• 20th March: Jarrell Miller submitted the adverse drug test administered by VADA
• 5th April: Michael Hunter is added to the 25th May Olkesandr Usyk undercard
• 10th April: It was officially announced that Michael Hunter has been added to the Matchroom stable
• 17th April: The announcement was made about Jarrell Miller’s failed VADA test and licence withdrawal
• 17th April: Several media outlets are claiming that Michael Hunter is the most likely candidate to replace Jarrell Miller as Anthony Joshua’s opponent on the 1st June

Did Eddie Hearn receive some sort of heads-up of Miller’s failed drug test in advance of the official announcement and attempted to cover his bases by signing Michael Hunter in order to ensure that Anthony Joshua was able to defend all three of his titles against an American in-house Matchroom fighter?

How many American heavyweights does the Matchroom stable have? When you've read the above timeline, the answer probably won't surprise you.

[greg]

@EO...is there any credible proof Povetkin being a potential stand-in for Parker, I just don't happen to remember it...another thing: if Hearn planned if fact Hunter as a replacement, he looks pretty much desperate if not helpless today, not HIS fault mind you..

[ewenhay]

I'd be a little surprised if Hearn didn't offer similar money that Miller was getting.

I mean they gotta be desperate to get a significant name in the ring for their US debut...

Nah. Miller is an inhouse fighter so will get offered more than someone who isn't signed to match room or dazn.

They want to keep the money inhouse as much as possible. It's the same strategy as Don King used to have except its delivered with a fake tan and a cockney accent.

Note how Parker, Povetkin and Takam ended up on Matchroom cards before/after fighting Joshua. Options is my guess.

[SenorPipino]

They have had a week to get this crap finalized. They have to give an opponent time to train. I don't want to see this drag out any longer

Tuesday has come and gone.

Anyone confirmed yet?

Didn't think so.

How long before Cinco de Mayo weekend last year was Martiroysan selected as a Golovkin opponent?

[ewenhay]

Tuesday has come and gone.

Anyone confirmed yet?

Didn't think so.

How long before Cinco de Mayo weekend last year was Martiroysan selected as a Golovkin opponent?

.

Maybe a bit of brinkmanship from Hunter to squeeze some extra cash out of Hearn.

[Enlightened-One]

@EO...is there any credible proof Povetkin being a potential stand-in for Parker, I just don't happen to remember it...another thing: if Hearn planned if fact Hunter as a replacement, he looks pretty much desperate if not helpless today, not HIS fault mind you..

Povetkin competed on the undercard. His bout against David Price was considered a needless mismatch. He was the replacement opponent. Other people from this forum, such as boxing rocks, claimed this was the case also.

Decent promoters ensure they have replacements lined-up due to first choice fighters withdrawing from marquee bouts.