AJ v Usyk Mandatory Defense Ordered Already

[nmhz]

Several online sources stating the WBO have already ordered AJ’s mandatory defense against Usyk, to be held within 180 days.





Thoughts?

[Onetimeonly]

I figured pulev would be first. Rather see usyk. Let's do it.

[gregregegg]

smart by wbo getting in super quick, they do have first dibs and this helps paint that picture. still think IBF will order theres too in witch case i think AJ probly will fight for IBF cause then he can keep WBO in matchroom and easily go back for it later. also, AJ should batter pulev.

[Finkel]

smart by wbo getting in super quick, they do have first dibs and this helps paint that picture. still think IBF will order theres too in witch case i think AJ probly will fight for IBF cause then he can keep WBO in matchroom and easily go back for it later. also, AJ should batter pulev.

Agreed. It's almost guaranteed to play out that way. Plus the IBF was both his first title and also the more prestigious belt. I don't see him dropping it. Though he still needs to beat Pulev

[DrDuke]

Of course, the fight for the undisputed championship is more appealing, but this is also a great option, especially if Fury-Wilder rematch takes place at the same time.

[milpool]

I’m surprised the WBA aren’t insisting on him facing Fres Oquendo...

[jameswilson]

The IBF will soon order Pulev.

Joshua will face Pulev and Usyk will face whoever and the Joshua v Usyk match will marinade for about 18 months or so.

[rd350lc]

The IBF will soon order Pulev.

Joshua will face Pulev and Usyk will face whoever and the Joshua v Usyk match will marinade for about 18 months or so.

/\ this , from the way he spoke post fight yesterday, Fury and Wilder are not on the radar .

[Cyclops]

Am I the only person that doesn't mind Pulev? He's a good fighter.

I'd like Usyk to be a little more seasoned at heavyweight before taking on AJ/Wilder/Fury. Let him fight for the vacant IBF and then it's unifications all around.

[Nondescript]

Am I the only person that doesn't mind Pulev? He's a good fighter.

I'd like Usyk to be a little more seasoned at heavyweight before taking on AJ/Wilder/Fury. Let him fight for the vacant IBF and then it's unifications all around.

I'm with you. Joshua will very likely win, but at the same time Pulev is still one of the top heavyweights outside of the top 3.

[Gnome]

Am I the only person that doesn't mind Pulev? He's a good fighter.

I'd like Usyk to be a little more seasoned at heavyweight before taking on AJ/Wilder/Fury. Let him fight for the vacant IBF and then it's unifications all around.

I'm with you. Joshua will very likely win, but at the same time Pulev is still one of the top heavyweights outside of the top 3.

I agree.

[margaret thatcher]

I believe he's at least as good as Joe Parker, who people seem to like more. I'd take him to decision Ruiz. He's prob still top 10 but he's just awful to watch with that ugly, powerless jab and hold style. At least Wlad dropped motherf@ckers

Wouldn't mind him vs AJ though, because I'd expect a Wlad style KO after a few rounds

[jameswilson]

If Pulev was fighting Joe Parker, Povetkin, Ortiz, Andy Ruiz I don’t think I’d be able to confidently pick a winner.

So given that Fury and Wilder are fighting each other in February I’m absolutely fine with it.

It gets a mando out the way too. The WBA don’t seem to really bother with mandatories and to be honest I don’t think the WBO are that bothered unless you pursue them (how many mandatories did Joe Calzaghe fight in his god knows how many year long reign?) but the IBF are a ball ache.

Get it out the way. Don’t let the titles fragment before we get Joshua v Fury/Wilder. Happy days.

[Grilling Machine]

I think Pulev'd be an ideal test for Usyk. He'd have to rearrange his heavyweight plans if he lost or looked ineffective, and it'd show what a proven threat he is if he won handily.

I'd be fine with AJ fighting Miller in March. Or even — and I never thought I'd say this — Whyte. So long as Fury meets Wilder in Feb. Usyk needs a fight soon.

Ortiz-Chisora?

[rd350lc]

I'd have thought Usyk would want a few more outings at the weight before fighting Joshua , Didn't think he looked great on his debut .

[skanksta]

Am I the only person that doesn't mind Pulev? He's a good fighter.

I'd like Usyk to be a little more seasoned at heavyweight before taking on AJ/Wilder/Fury. Let him fight for the vacant IBF and then it's unifications all around.

It’s not that PULEV isn’t decent (he is) and he probably deserves a pension fight. It’s just that it’s so..., meh.

It wouldn’t be a bad fight, just so uninspiring.

[skanksta]

I reckon bodybuilder AJ beats Usyk (just too big) and the new lighter, dancing AJ loses - can’t outbox the master boxer.

[Ricky]

Am I the only person that doesn't mind Pulev? He's a good fighter.

I'd like Usyk to be a little more seasoned at heavyweight before taking on AJ/Wilder/Fury. Let him fight for the vacant IBF and then it's unifications all around.

It’s not that PULEV isn’t decent (he is) and he probably deserves a pension fight. It’s just that it’s so..., meh.

It wouldn’t be a bad fight, just so uninspiring.

Pulev is washed up. Love the fight with Usyk though, i suspect AJ would get a boxing lesson.

[JimJim2009]

I’m surprised the WBA aren’t insisting on him facing Fres Oquendo...

[skanksta]

AJ v Usyk is a mouthwatering prospect no doubt..

[keithmoonhangover]

IMHO Usyk beats Josh, Wilder and Fury.

[smiling assassin]

AJ would need help from the judges if he faces Usyk

[jameswilson]

I’d imagine Usyk will be used as the main poster boy for Matchroom Germany.

I remember back to the old Universum and Sauerland shows in the 2000s and for some reason Usyk fits right into that demographic. I reckon they’d love WBO defences from him in Berlin and Munich rather than the UK or America. America especially is a really fickle place for foreigners.

[lillywhite14]

Am I the only person that doesn't mind Pulev? He's a good fighter.

I'd like Usyk to be a little more seasoned at heavyweight before taking on AJ/Wilder/Fury. Let him fight for the vacant IBF and then it's unifications all around.

Well, Pulev would comfortably be Fury’s second best win and arguably Wilders second best win too.
Shows the strength of Joshua’s resume when compared against the other two I guess. He will probably be Joshua’s 3rd/4th best win when/if it does happen.

The other two get judged differently when compared to Joshua. Just how it is for some weird reason. Joshua’s biggest and most glaring issue is the loss to Ruiz obviously but how about the other two stop assuming they’d simply beat him and actually fvcking prove it for once? Fury especially? He just talks like it’s obvious so he has divs assuming it must be true.

[lillywhite14]

AJ would need help from the judges if he faces Usyk

Usyk for all his quality ate shots vs Bellew. Tony Bellew. Drink that in...

He also ate plenty of leather against Breidis.

Joshua can find him, no doubt. If Usyk can take the power and has no difficulty with the size difference, he can win. Not only against Joshua but against the other two as well.
I don’t think he can though. He’s not super slick defensively, far from it. Doesn’t hit hard enough either imo. It’s a shame because if he did, he’d beat them all with surprising ease. He’s so much better at boxing than all three put together