BoxRec

Let us be honest, only two HWs are capable to beat Joshua - Wilder and Fury (fit/healthy version). That's it............

ValMar wrote: ↑03 Apr 2018, 11:39 Let us be honest, only two HWs are capable to beat Joshua - Wilder and Fury (fit/healthy version). That's it............

Exactly. And the only one that makes sense today is Wilder

tiny_acres wrote: ↑03 Apr 2018, 11:40

ValMar wrote: ↑03 Apr 2018, 11:39 Let us be honest, only two HWs are capable to beat Joshua - Wilder and Fury (fit/healthy version). That's it............

Exactly. And the only one that makes sense today is Wilder

...yes...Yes...YES!!!!! For f'ck sake make the fight already!

jamamb wrote: ↑02 Apr 2018, 19:07whyte wins

Agreed:- Pulev doesn't seem too bothered about competitive fights these days. I don't even think he was fussed about having to miss out on his Joshua payday bonanza. It's been a while since he beat anyone of quality. Pulev is yesterday's man and is now grazing the meadow.

I know where Mexi-box and others are coming from: They see Whyte and Chisora as interchangeable based on their cigarette-paper thin decision, and Pulev beat Chisora so therefore he beats Whyte. What most Brits appreciate that others don't necessarily, is that Chisora is a "variable" not a "fixed quantity". To Dereck, Pulev was just another opponent, no big deal, no special effort, whereas he can't stand the sight of Dillian Whyte. He wanted to reduce Dillian to his constituent parts and made damn sure he was in the best possible shape, mentally and physically, to achieve that.

In my opinion the Chisora faced by Pulev and Whyte respectively, bear only a passing resemblance to each other

BitPlayer wrote: ↑02 Apr 2018, 16:37

Mexi-Box wrote: ↑02 Apr 2018, 16:35

BitPlayer wrote: ↑02 Apr 2018, 16:13 Good fight.

Maybe getting ready to strip Joshua

Why? Joshua already got his mandatory out of the way with his win over Takam. If he doesn't fight the winner, which he should, then he gets stripped. Either way, the Whyte/Pulev winner would be a great fight.

Because sanctioning bodies love stripping unified champions.

I agree with that as a general principle but what governing body worth their reputation, as sh1t as that might be, would want to strip Joshua and miss out on all those luverley sanctioning fees?

Whyte v Pulev is a good fight but it puts the kybosh on Breazeale v Pulev + Whyte v Povetkkn

ok so now wilder was supposed to be speaking tonight but that has been cancelled and this statement has been released.

"First of all, I want to congratulate Anthony Joshua on his win last Saturday night," said Wilder.
"Anthony, I am so glad we finally heard from you on Saturday and that you want to fight me as your next opponent and you want the fight to happen in the UK.
"I accept that challenge and I am ready to come to the UK for my next fight. There is nothing on Team Wilder's side to prevent me from fighting you next.
"You also said on Saturday that your team is ready to meet with Shelly Finkel and Al Haymon from my side to get this deal done.
"They are also ready to meet with your team immediately. Let us know when - the sooner the better.
"Thanks, Anthony, I can't wait to meet you in the ring," he added.

barry hearn has supposedly set up a metting between with him shelly finkle and al haymon.

if everything goes to plan then wilder vs joshua will happen leaving whyte with multiple opportunites. i suppose he will go and face pulev. The only thing i cant make out is why breazaele would not fight pulev if it was not 100% that he was facing wilder. also where does this leave povetkin

Povetkin will be mandatory for the WBA and WBO titles held by either Joshua or Wilder. If he fancies a demanding fight in the meantime it sounds like Breazeale could be looking for a dancing partner.

candyslim wrote: ↑03 Apr 2018, 13:33

BitPlayer wrote: ↑02 Apr 2018, 16:37

Mexi-Box wrote: ↑02 Apr 2018, 16:35

Why? Joshua already got his mandatory out of the way with his win over Takam. If he doesn't fight the winner, which he should, then he gets stripped. Either way, the Whyte/Pulev winner would be a great fight.

Because sanctioning bodies love stripping unified champions.

I agree with that as a general principle but what governing body worth their reputation, as sh1t as that might be, would want to strip Joshua and miss out on all those luverley sanctioning fees?

Whyte v Pulev is a good fight but it puts the kybosh on Breazeale v Pulev + Whyte v Povetkkn

Pulev would beat Breazeale easy anyway. Winner of this Vs Povetkin would be good, but if he's manditory he won't be fighting anyone halfway decent untill Joshua.

I'm not so sure about that. When was the last time Pulev faced someone (admittedly less skilled but) as big and as tough as Breazeale who is younger, more active, and can be guaranteed to really bring it and put pressure on him.

If it was a question of who was the more up for it I know who my money would be on.

Boxing101101 wrote: ↑03 Apr 2018, 13:41 ok so now wilder was supposed to be speaking tonight but that has been cancelled and this statement has been released.

"First of all, I want to congratulate Anthony Joshua on his win last Saturday night," said Wilder.
"Anthony, I am so glad we finally heard from you on Saturday and that you want to fight me as your next opponent and you want the fight to happen in the UK.
"I accept that challenge and I am ready to come to the UK for my next fight. There is nothing on Team Wilder's side to prevent me from fighting you next.
"You also said on Saturday that your team is ready to meet with Shelly Finkel and Al Haymon from my side to get this deal done.
"They are also ready to meet with your team immediately. Let us know when - the sooner the better.
"Thanks, Anthony, I can't wait to meet you in the ring," he added.

barry hearn has supposedly set up a metting between with him shelly finkle and al haymon.

if everything goes to plan then wilder vs joshua will happen leaving whyte with multiple opportunites. i suppose he will go and face pulev. The only thing i cant make out is why breazaele would not fight pulev if it was not 100% that he was facing wilder. also where does this leave povetkin

Excellent news. Now let's hope it gets finalized

It's a good match and pushes Whyte further into a top contender with a solid win over Pulev.
I'd rather see Joshua Vs Povetkin in the UK before he makes the jump to the USA, should talks with Wilder fall through.

Looking at the WBC rankings, if Whyte is tied up with this match with Pulev that leaves the #1 & #5 ranked contenders tied up and since he's beaten Ortiz (#3),leaving Povetkin (#4) who is likely to be tied up with negotiations to fight Joshua next.
That leaves Breazeale (#2) as his next best opponent, unless he rematches Duhaupas (#7) who he beat in 2015 or Charles Martin (#8), which could be interesting to compare Wilder with Joshua who beat Martin for the IBF title.

(Tony Bellew is currently ranked #6 but I wouldn't expect a match of Wilder vs Bellew)

candyslim wrote: ↑03 Apr 2018, 14:09 I'm not so sure about that. When was the last time Pulev faced someone (admittedly less skilled but) as big and as tough as Breazeale who is younger, more active, and can be guaranteed to really bring it and put pressure on him.

If it was a question of who was the more up for it I know who my money would be on.

Not sure how you aren't sure. Breazeale's only merit is that he's tough. It doesn't do anything for you when you're facing an elite jabber like Pulev. By the way, it's no shame because Pulev also beats Whyte. Pulev eased through Chisora while Whyte pretty much lost to Chisora.

He's tough, he can punch, he would put Pulev under constant pressure. Pulev has been rated in the top half of the top ten for many years. That wasn't undeserved but when was the last time he was obliged to prove that he was still worthy of that elite ranking?

Ortiz isn't what he once was, neither is Povetkin. We have seen the evidence. What makes you think Pulev is immune to the ageing process? Pulev has had the best, or one of the best jabs in the division. How effective that would be against Breazeale 2 to 3 inches taller is unknown. He certainly wouldn't outwork Breazeale, he wouldn't overpower him, and at 37 probably wouldn't outlast him either.

It seems to me that Pulev would be happier if governing bodies just left him alone instead of nominating him for all these troublesome eliminators and title shots. It was clear he was never really interested in facing Joshua, he had enough opportunities.

I think that now he just enjoys being a Bulgarian sporting hero, and is content to beat on a few also-rans from time to time so as to preserve his ranking and his status. He is very happy in his comfort zone and he can do without some vigorous young turk like Joshua, Breazeale or Whyte, stopping by and wrenching him out of it. That's the impression I get anyway.

I'm with Candy on this one. I'm not really sure what current form that would support the proposal of a Pulev victory. Breazeale is a taller, hungrier, and active fighter, that is tough and can whack.

It has potential to be entertaining, but I don't hold much hope for Pulev.