WBA bamboozle yet again with hideous heavyweight eliminator sanction!

[Enlightened-One]

"WBA bamboozle yet again with hideous heavyweight eliminator sanction"

There seems to be a WBA heavyweight eliminator just two weeks after another contender won an interim bout for some strange reason.

At the time – and when Daniel Dubois beat Bogdan Dinu with ease, WBN pointed out that there are now FIVE belt holders in the top division with the WBA.

They are “super” champion Anthony Joshua, “regular” ruler Trevor Bryan, interim holder Dubois, “Champion in Recess” Mahmoud Charr, and “Gold” title-holder Robert Helenius.

Now, you’d think that the last thing the World Boxing Association would need is further congestion by adding another eliminator. But then you don’t know the WBA. Not only have they sanctioned a fight for the Lopez vs. Kambosos Jr. bill, but it’s one of the most dumbfounding yet.

Michael Hunter deserves his opportunity at something, even if he has accepted the sanction from the WBA. However, his opponent is Mike Wilson.

Let me tell you a bit about Wilson.

For one, he hasn’t fought for 21 months. Secondly, Wilson hasn’t fought at heavyweight since 2009. And thirdly, the “White Delight” has one hundred percent never defeated anybody who remotely would warrant a place in the top 15 of any organization.

As happening far too much these days, the WBA re-wrote the rules to please whichever promoter asks for it.



“The Bounty” Hunter begins a massive favorite and will probably get the stoppage. Still, talk turns to why the WBA are allowed to place fighter after fighter strategically in the ratings whenever they feel like it.

It’s so obvious it’s painful.

Questions have to get raised. For example, the WBA should prove why Mike Wilson is rated as the number 13 heavyweight globally when he’s never fought at the weight.

Add to that the fact he’s never secured any significant victory at the weight.

Why don’t the WBA provide this evidence? – Because there is none.

This scenario further explains why WBN no longer recognizes the WBA as a significant body within our sport – even if we didn’t necessarily need it.

Thoughts?

[margaret thatcher]

didnt know tommy morrison was still fighting

[joshj909]

This is why Hunter turned down the Hrgovic eliminator, was getting a different eliminator against a much weaker opponent. And we all thought better of him...

[Enlightened-One]

This is why Hunter turned down the Hrgovic eliminator, was getting a different eliminator against a much weaker opponent. And we all thought better of him...

He Tweeted that he rejected the appallingly small purse to fight Hrgovic, because he was receiving better money signing a multi-fight contract with Triller.

Matchroom dumped Hunter, so he wasn’t obliged to compete on their fight cards again, even though they won the purse bid.

[lof]

Elimination for which of the belts?

[margaret thatcher]

think these 2 fought like 5 times as amateurs

[gregregegg]

Elimination for which of the belts?

Im assuming for the regular belt. Would be a madness if for the super belt. Im not mad, its stupid, but an elliminator for something that isnt real dosent need to be that tough... Hopfull DDD gets his hands on Trev, sparks him and then if Hunter wins the elliminator he will have the choice to fight DDD which i wont be mad at.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Elimination for which of the belts?

Im assuming for the regular belt. Would be a madness if for the super belt. Im not mad, its stupid, but an elliminator for something that isnt real dosent need to be that tough... Hopfull DDD gets his hands on Trev, sparks him and then if Hunter wins the elliminator he will have the choice to fight DDD which i wont be mad at.

Yeh there’s never any eliminators for the super belt. Just the regular. Even that belt doesn’t guarantee you a super world title shot. Lol

[lof]

Povetkin was the latest contender for the Joshua super belt. How did that happen?

[Enlightened-One]

Povetkin was the latest contender for the Joshua super belt. How did that happen?

Alexander Povetkin out-pointed Christian Hammer in a WBA final world heavyweight title eliminator.

The RING says it was a WBO eliminator also.

[gilgamesh]

Why even acknowledge it? Just say it's some fights. Nothing is at stake. Because that's exactly what the WBA's Titles are worth. Nothing.

[maverick23]

This is why Hunter turned down the Hrgovic eliminator, was getting a different eliminator against a much weaker opponent. And we all thought better of him...

He Tweeted that he rejected the appallingly small purse to fight Hrgovic, because he was receiving better money signing a multi-fight contract with Triller.

Matchroom dumped Hunter, so he wasn’t obliged to compete on their fight cards again, even though they won the purse bid.

Is $364k in an eliminator to decide the next mandatory an appallingly small purse for a fighter that doesn’t sell tickets or generate large TV viewers? It’s not crazy money but it’s not awful either for a purse bid when all he’s been saying is that people have ducked him and that he wants to fight for a title, even volunteering to fight for free in the past. If he wins this fight then he fights for a proper title for potentially massive money.

The other thing that grated on me with this was that how long he took to make his mind up. Wasted another fighter’s time which is never good in a tough sport like this.

[KiwiRider]

Any of you lot know how old Mike Wilson is?
He looks mid forties
No offence to him if he isn't.
If we had to vote on Hunter after (surely) winning this bout on our HW top 15, I would put him down the list, not up

[Enlightened-One]

This is why Hunter turned down the Hrgovic eliminator, was getting a different eliminator against a much weaker opponent. And we all thought better of him...

He Tweeted that he rejected the appallingly small purse to fight Hrgovic, because he was receiving better money signing a multi-fight contract with Triller.

Matchroom dumped Hunter, so he wasn’t obliged to compete on their fight cards again, even though they won the purse bid.

Is $364k in an eliminator to decide the next mandatory an appallingly small purse for a fighter that doesn’t sell tickets or generate large TV viewers? It’s not crazy money but it’s not awful either for a purse bid when all he’s been saying is that people have ducked him and that he wants to fight for a title, even volunteering to fight for free in the past. If he wins this fight then he fights for a proper title for potentially massive money.

The other thing that grated on me with this was that how long he took to make his mind up. Wasted another fighter’s time which is never good in a tough sport like this.

It was easy to anticipate Hunter’s decision to reject the Hrgovic fight when you analysed the numbers.

In fact, I did so several days prior and also supplied a lengthy post detailing my reasons and numbers.

[maverick23]

He Tweeted that he rejected the appallingly small purse to fight Hrgovic, because he was receiving better money signing a multi-fight contract with Triller.

Matchroom dumped Hunter, so he wasn’t obliged to compete on their fight cards again, even though they won the purse bid.

Is $364k in an eliminator to decide the next mandatory an appallingly small purse for a fighter that doesn’t sell tickets or generate large TV viewers? It’s not crazy money but it’s not awful either for a purse bid when all he’s been saying is that people have ducked him and that he wants to fight for a title, even volunteering to fight for free in the past. If he wins this fight then he fights for a proper title for potentially massive money.

The other thing that grated on me with this was that how long he took to make his mind up. Wasted another fighter’s time which is never good in a tough sport like this.

It was easy to anticipate Hunter’s decision to reject the Hrgovic fight when you analysed the numbers.

In fact, I did so several days prior and also supplied a lengthy post detailing my reasons and numbers.

Ah right. Could you send me a link please to your post? I haven’t seen anything confirming Hunter’s purse for the Wilson fight so I’d be interested to see your thoughts.

[Enlightened-One]

Is $364k in an eliminator to decide the next mandatory an appallingly small purse for a fighter that doesn’t sell tickets or generate large TV viewers? It’s not crazy money but it’s not awful either for a purse bid when all he’s been saying is that people have ducked him and that he wants to fight for a title, even volunteering to fight for free in the past. If he wins this fight then he fights for a proper title for potentially massive money.

The other thing that grated on me with this was that how long he took to make his mind up. Wasted another fighter’s time which is never good in a tough sport like this.

It was easy to anticipate Hunter’s decision to reject the Hrgovic fight when you analysed the numbers.

In fact, I did so several days prior and also supplied a lengthy post detailing my reasons and numbers.

Ah right. Could you send me a link please to your post? I haven’t seen anything confirming Hunter’s purse for the Wilson fight so I’d be interested to see your thoughts.

Hunter said he rejected the Hrgovic fight, because he was receiving better money signing a multi-fight deal with Triller, with his next outing being a WBA eliminator.

Anyway, here’s a link to my prediction, when I conveyed my belief he’d reject the Hrgovic bout:
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=229384&p=5538268&h ... d#p5538268

My prediction was dated the 21st April, with Hunter eventually declining the fight on the 10th May.

[maverick23]

It was easy to anticipate Hunter’s decision to reject the Hrgovic fight when you analysed the numbers.

In fact, I did so several days prior and also supplied a lengthy post detailing my reasons and numbers.

Ah right. Could you send me a link please to your post? I haven’t seen anything confirming Hunter’s purse for the Wilson fight so I’d be interested to see your thoughts.

Hunter said he rejected the Hrgovic fight, because he was receiving better money signing a multi-fight deal with Triller, with his next outing being a WBA eliminator.

Anyway, here’s a link to my prediction, when I conveyed my belief he’d reject the Hrgovic bout:
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=229384&p=5538268&h ... d#p5538268

I’d still be surprised if he’s getting more than $400k for the Wilson fight. He might be but having him on the card doesn’t result in $400k of additional income for the PPV/ticket sales.

Also a WBA eliminator doesn’t actually mean too much. They don’t enforce anything and have meaningless champs like Bryan and Dubois. The IBF actually enforce their mandatories more than any other organisation so I still think it’s a big time dodge on the part of Hunter.

If it was about the money then why is he offering to fight free against a couple of different opponents. If it’s that he want to fight for a proper title then the IBF would be the quickest route for him.

I just think he didn’t think he’d win the fight and he wasn’t willing to risk it because it wasn’t big money.

[Enlightened-One]

Ah right. Could you send me a link please to your post? I haven’t seen anything confirming Hunter’s purse for the Wilson fight so I’d be interested to see your thoughts.

Hunter said he rejected the Hrgovic fight, because he was receiving better money signing a multi-fight deal with Triller, with his next outing being a WBA eliminator.

Anyway, here’s a link to my prediction, when I conveyed my belief he’d reject the Hrgovic bout:
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=229384&p=5538268&h ... d#p5538268

I’d still be surprised if he’s getting more than $400k for the Wilson fight. He might be but having him on the card doesn’t result in $400k of additional income for the PPV/ticket sales.

Also a WBA eliminator doesn’t actually mean too much. They don’t enforce anything and have meaningless champs like Bryan and Dubois. The IBF actually enforce their mandatories more than any other organisation so I still think it’s a big time dodge on the part of Hunter.

If it was about the money then why is he offering to fight free against a couple of different opponents. If it’s that he want to fight for a proper title then the IBF would be the quickest route for him.

I just think he didn’t think he’d win the fight and he wasn’t willing to risk it because it wasn’t big money.

Well, it’s your prerogative to believe Hunter or not.

If you think he’s “scared” of Hrgovic, then you’re entitled to feel that way.

That being said, he’s faced opponents with better resumes than Hrgovic and also fought world-level opposition rated above Hrgovic.

Hunter has also engaged in multiple bouts where he’s been the underdog.

I also keep track of paydays and resumes, hence the reason for my accurate prediction.

I’m not the second coming of Nostradamus, because all I did was make a relatively easy call.

[maverick23]

Hunter said he rejected the Hrgovic fight, because he was receiving better money signing a multi-fight deal with Triller, with his next outing being a WBA eliminator.

Anyway, here’s a link to my prediction, when I conveyed my belief he’d reject the Hrgovic bout:
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=229384&p=5538268&h ... d#p5538268

I’d still be surprised if he’s getting more than $400k for the Wilson fight. He might be but having him on the card doesn’t result in $400k of additional income for the PPV/ticket sales.

Also a WBA eliminator doesn’t actually mean too much. They don’t enforce anything and have meaningless champs like Bryan and Dubois. The IBF actually enforce their mandatories more than any other organisation so I still think it’s a big time dodge on the part of Hunter.

If it was about the money then why is he offering to fight free against a couple of different opponents. If it’s that he want to fight for a proper title then the IBF would be the quickest route for him.

I just think he didn’t think he’d win the fight and he wasn’t willing to risk it because it wasn’t big money.

Well, it’s your prerogative to believe Hunter or not.

If you think he’s “scared” of Hrgovic, then you’re entitled to feel that way.

That being said, he’s faced opponents with better resumes than Hrgovic and also fought world-level opposition rated above Hrgovic.

Hunter has also engaged in multiple bouts where he’s been the underdog.

I also keep track of paydays and resumes, hence the reason for my accurate prediction.

I’m not the second coming of Nostradamus, because all I did was make a relatively easy call.

I agree with your original point about it being risk/reward for him and whilst $400k isn’t chump change it’s probably short of what he was hoping for for such a tough fight.

Him avoiding the Hrgovic fight wouldn’t have bothered me as much if he hadn’t been talking so much about not caring about the money and just wanting to fight for titles when this would likely be the quickest way and openly saying he was going to accept the fight.

How much has he been paid for his other recent fights?

[Enlightened-One]

I’d still be surprised if he’s getting more than $400k for the Wilson fight. He might be but having him on the card doesn’t result in $400k of additional income for the PPV/ticket sales.

Also a WBA eliminator doesn’t actually mean too much. They don’t enforce anything and have meaningless champs like Bryan and Dubois. The IBF actually enforce their mandatories more than any other organisation so I still think it’s a big time dodge on the part of Hunter.

If it was about the money then why is he offering to fight free against a couple of different opponents. If it’s that he want to fight for a proper title then the IBF would be the quickest route for him.

I just think he didn’t think he’d win the fight and he wasn’t willing to risk it because it wasn’t big money.

Well, it’s your prerogative to believe Hunter or not.

If you think he’s “scared” of Hrgovic, then you’re entitled to feel that way.

That being said, he’s faced opponents with better resumes than Hrgovic and also fought world-level opposition rated above Hrgovic.

Hunter has also engaged in multiple bouts where he’s been the underdog.

I also keep track of paydays and resumes, hence the reason for my accurate prediction.

I’m not the second coming of Nostradamus, because all I did was make a relatively easy call.

I agree with your original point about it being risk/reward for him and whilst $400k isn’t chump change it’s probably short of what he was hoping for for such a tough fight.

Him avoiding the Hrgovic fight wouldn’t have bothered me as much if he hadn’t been talking so much about not caring about the money and just wanting to fight for titles when this would likely be the quickest way and openly saying he was going to accept the fight.

How much has he been paid for his other recent fights?

Sorry. I’m not going to keep researching numbers.

I’ve spent enough time on this topic. And provided a lot of information already.

If you have more questions, then you need to research their answers.

I will give you one final piece of information though, the tax-free sums Hunter received for the Povetkin bout would have dwarfed the taxable income he would have earned facing Hrgovic.

And apparently Povetkin’s purse was seven-digits.

[maverick23]

Well, it’s your prerogative to believe Hunter or not.

If you think he’s “scared” of Hrgovic, then you’re entitled to feel that way.

That being said, he’s faced opponents with better resumes than Hrgovic and also fought world-level opposition rated above Hrgovic.

Hunter has also engaged in multiple bouts where he’s been the underdog.

I also keep track of paydays and resumes, hence the reason for my accurate prediction.

I’m not the second coming of Nostradamus, because all I did was make a relatively easy call.

I agree with your original point about it being risk/reward for him and whilst $400k isn’t chump change it’s probably short of what he was hoping for for such a tough fight.

Him avoiding the Hrgovic fight wouldn’t have bothered me as much if he hadn’t been talking so much about not caring about the money and just wanting to fight for titles when this would likely be the quickest way and openly saying he was going to accept the fight.

How much has he been paid for his other recent fights?

Sorry. I’m not going to keep researching numbers.

I’ve spent enough time on this topic. And provided a lot of information already.

If you have more questions, then you need to research their answers.

I will give you one final piece of information though, the tax-free sums Hunter received for the Povetkin bout would have dwarfed the taxable income he would have earned facing Hrgovic.

And apparently Povetkin’s purse was seven-digits.

I’m not requesting you research anything but you said yourself you keep track of paydays hence me asking.

Also you mentioned U.K. tax in your original post you forwarded - not quite sure why you think the fight with Hrgovic would have taken place in the U.K. There wasn’t ever any mention of that as far as I’m aware. Agree though that Hunter’s tax free pursue from the Povetkin fight would likely be higher than a potentially taxable purse for the Hrgovic fight.

[Enlightened-One]

Also you mentioned U.K. tax in your original post you forwarded - not quite sure why you think the fight with Hrgovic would have taken place in the U.K. There wasn’t ever any mention of that as far as I’m aware.

Matchroom won the purse bid. And they co-promote Filip Hrgovic, along with the Sauerlands (via Wasserman Boxing).

The Hrgovic-Hunter deal (i.e. the fight arrangements) was being finalised around the 10th May, with Hunter withdrawing from the fight at the last-minute.

Hrgovic is a European fighter. Matchroom and the Sauerlands are both European promoters.

DAZN, Matchroom and the Sauerlands are based in London (i.e. the German brothers spent most of their childhood in London, they have homes there and they also attend a lot of Matchroom events in the UK).

The majority of Matchroom boxing events are staged in the UK.

Five of the seven Matchroom events from the 15th May until the 14th August are staged on British shores, which equates to more than 70% of that boxing schedule.

The other two events are staged in Mexico and the USA.

The majority of Filip Hrgovic’s bouts have been staged in Europe.

And Matchroom have only just stopped working with Sky Sports in the UK, and DAZN has just entered the British market, with boxing being their primary sporting content in that territory.

Heavyweight boxing attracts big audiences in the UK.

So do you honestly believe that Matchroom would put their own fighter at a disadvantage, by staging the IBF eliminator in Hunter’s homeland or in Mexico?

[maverick23]

Also you mentioned U.K. tax in your original post you forwarded - not quite sure why you think the fight with Hrgovic would have taken place in the U.K. There wasn’t ever any mention of that as far as I’m aware.

Matchroom won the purse bid. And they co-promote Filip Hrgovic, along with the Sauerlands (via Wasserman Boxing).

The Hrgovic-Hunter deal (i.e. the fight arrangements) was being finalised around the 10th May, with Hunter withdrawing from the fight at the last-minute.

Hrgovic is a European fighter. Matchroom and the Sauerlands are both European promoters.

DAZN, Matchroom and the Sauerlands are based in London (i.e. the German brothers spent most of their childhood in London, they have homes there and they also attend a lot of Matchroom events in the UK).

The majority of Matchroom boxing events are staged in the UK.

Five of the seven Matchroom events from the 15th May until the 14th August are staged on British shores, which equates to more than 70% of that boxing schedule.

The other two events are staged in Mexico and the USA.

The majority of Filip Hrgovic’s bouts have been staged in Europe.

And Matchroom have only just stopped working with Sky Sports in the UK, and DAZN has just entered the British market, with boxing being their primary sporting content in that territory.

Heavyweight boxing attracts big audiences in the UK.

So do you honestly believe that Matchroom would put their own fighter at a disadvantage, by staging the IBF eliminator in Hunter’s homeland or in Mexico?

They think he’ll knock Hunter out hence their eagerness to make the fight.

Paying $600k for a fight that doesn’t turn the dial in the U.K. is pointless but they may have looked to put a show on in Croatia in a similar thing to what they did with Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Uzbekistan.

Hunter didn’t once fight in the U.K. with Matchroom - fights were in the US or in places that had big rights fees like Saudi or Monte Carlo. He barely has a following so even if they put the fight on in the US it’s not like Hrgovic would have a partisan crowd against him like he would if he was fighting in the U.K. against a well known Brit.

U.K. fans may like heavyweights but they’re not stupid either - very few (only hardcores or Croatians) would buy tickets to it and Eddie understands the U.K. market better than anyone now. I can’t remember the last big heavyweight fight in the U.K. between 2 non-Brits.

[milpool]

The sooner all boxing promoters, journalists, websites, publications etc, ignore the WBA and don't give them any recognition, the better.
They are, and they're not the only ones to be fair, making a mockery of the sport with this never ending nonsense.
Just ignore them, treat them like the WBF, GBO et al, make them out to be a meaningless sanctioning body that nobody in the business recognises. They'll soon change if they don't receive their sanctioning fees because nobody is fighting for their crap belts.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The sooner all boxing promoters, journalists, websites, publications etc, ignore the WBA and don't give them any recognition, the better.
They are, and they're not the only ones to be fair, making a mockery of the sport with this never ending nonsense.
Just ignore them, treat them like the WBF, GBO et al, make them out to be a meaningless sanctioning body that nobody in the business recognises. They'll soon change if they don't receive their sanctioning fees because nobody is fighting for their crap belts.

The only thing with that is, WBA is the oldest sanctioning body.. The most history etc.

I know WBN have stopped recognising them, but one small website, isn't gonna make a difference.

What would promoters prefer to billed a fight as?

'12 Round heavyweight contest' or 'World championship fight'