WBO Formally orders AJ vs Usyk

[jujigatame]

I'd agree if Usyk wasn't coming off an injury and a weak first heavyweight opponent (Witherspoon). If Usyk loses he'll have excuses. Pulev on the other hand will have no excuses as he's been active in the division.

Only that he’s pushing 40 years of age and fights on average once per year.

Nobody really cares about Pulev. He's past his prime, he hasn't fought another serious contender since Chisora which was damn near 4 years ago now, he's not exciting, and he doesn't draw a lot. He's one of those guys clinging to his mandatory status like grim death, hoping for another payday.

[drunkenpiper36]

Only that he’s pushing 40 years of age and fights on average once per year.

Nobody really cares about Pulev. He's past his prime, he hasn't fought another serious contender since Chisora which was damn near 4 years ago now, he's not exciting, and he doesn't draw a lot. He's one of those guys clinging to his mandatory status like grim death, hoping for another payday.

And I agree. I don’t even see the basis for his being ranked anymore period, let alone all this talk of title shots in his future. There are some here however who seem to think that time has stood still and that some of these fighters haven’t aged.

[oogiebe]

Nobody really cares about Pulev. He's past his prime, he hasn't fought another serious contender since Chisora which was damn near 4 years ago now, he's not exciting, and he doesn't draw a lot. He's one of those guys clinging to his mandatory status like grim death, hoping for another payday.

And I agree. I don’t even see the basis for his being ranked anymore period, let alone all this talk of title shots in his future. There are some here however who seem to think that time has stood still and that some of these fighters haven’t aged.

He wasn't too good when he was young either. Beneficiary of a 'shallow' division.

[margaret thatcher]

He's really no worse/less deserving than the average challenger these days, as awful as he is to watch

Look at these guys who have gotten shots in the last few years

Molina x2
Brezeale x2
Arreola x2
Duhaupas
Szpilka
Washington
Takam
Cojanu
Hughie
Stiverne 2


I'd say he would very arguably be the 2nd best opponent Fury or Wilder beat

[oogiebe]

He's really no worse/less deserving than the average challenger these days, as awful as he is to watch

Look at these guys who have gotten shots in the last few years

Molina x2
Brezeale x2
Duhaupas
Arreola x2
Szpilka
Washington
Takam
Cojanu
Hughie
Stiverne 2


I'd say he would very arguably be the 2nd best opponent Fury or Wilder beat

Hmmm...you might be right. Certainly can make a case for it.

[tiny_acres]

He's really no worse/less deserving than the average challenger these days, as awful as he is to watch

Look at these guys who have gotten shots in the last few years

Molina x2
Brezeale x2
Duhaupas
Arreola x2
Szpilka
Washington
Takam
Cojanu
Hughie
Stiverne 2


I'd say he would very arguably be the 2nd best opponent Fury or Wilder beat

Hmmm...you might be right. Certainly can make a case for it.

And easily Joshua's third best opponent.
After Klitscko and Povetkin

[margaret thatcher]

I think Whyte is better than Pulev, and Parker close

Still though, Pulev, as much as we have reason to not like him, is still nearly a best win for pretty much any HW. It's not like he'd be dragging up a total can or someone who had been at best fringe contending.

[tiny_acres]

I think Whyte is better than Pulev, and Parker close

Still though, Pulev, as much as we have reason to not like him, is still nearly a best win for pretty much any HW. It would just add to AJ's already impressive (by today's standards lol) depth of resume. It's not like he'd be dragging up a total can or someone who had been at best fringe contending

I agree Pulev in my opinion would be Joshua's 3rd best opponent

[drunkenpiper36]

He's really no worse/less deserving than the average challenger these days, as awful as he is to watch

Look at these guys who have gotten shots in the last few years

Molina x2
Brezeale x2
Arreola x2
Duhaupas
Szpilka
Washington
Takam
Cojanu
Hughie
Stiverne 2


I'd say he would very arguably be the 2nd best opponent Fury or Wilder beat

Those guys didn’t deserve title shots either and it should be pointed out that some of them were last minute replacements for other fighters who had to pull out. Another obvious difference is that I think a lot of them weren’t labeled as “ Mandatories.. “ the way that Pulev is being marketed.

[JxhDel.]

Should not have Joshua faced Pulev like two years ago, considering the fact he is still the IBF mandatory? He's almost at the end of his carreer, while Usyk should better test himself against other top dogs before considering this arduos fight.

[ewenhay]

Should not have Joshua faced Pulev like two years ago, considering the fact he is still the IBF mandatory? He's almost at the end of his carreer, while Usyk should better test himself against other top dogs before considering this arduos fight.

Wasn't Takam a stand in for Pulev?

[Boxtune]

Pulev deserves the first crack. Usyk still has to prove himself at heavyweight, A win over Chazz Witherspoon does not put him at the top of the list.

X 2

[tiny_acres]

Should not have Joshua faced Pulev like two years ago, considering the fact he is still the IBF mandatory? He's almost at the end of his carreer, while Usyk should better test himself against other top dogs before considering this arduos fight.

Wasn't Takam a stand in for Pulev?

Yes