BoxRec

Joshua claims that his next opponent should be Usyk. I am sure this issue is agreed with Hearn, and there is more than 90 % possibility this fight will happen on April 2020. What do you predict ?

We pretty much know how Usyk fights. As for AJ, who knows.
Joshua could come in like he did for Parker or Ruiz the second fight. In which case I think Usyk outpoints him.
It's Usyk and his slow starting that concerns me. I think AJ is the A side, so Usyk needs to win it clearly.
As for a KO, don't think so. I think both guys can take a few of each other's best shots. And each are savvy enough to defend some of them.
I think Usyk can push the pace enough to make AJ gas, if he starts in hard and fast.

Well, we'll find out if Usyk can take a shot from a big heavyweight.

Usyk arm punches a bit for me so don't see him knocking the bigger guys out. He could win on points but will likely lose any decision.

I wouldn't be so sure that Hearn agrees with him. Pulev is much easier and Eddie has ties to Usyk. He might be able to manuver keeping both straps.

Onetimeonly wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 16:49 I wouldn't be so sure that Hearn agrees with him. Pulev is much easier and Eddie has ties to Usyk. He might be able to manuver keeping both straps.

I agree. From a 'maximize the money' perspective. Pulev first. then if AJ gets stripped, Usyk can pick up that belt and make a mega fight to unify. All under fast Eddie's guidance.

oogiebe wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 17:00

Onetimeonly wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 16:49 I wouldn't be so sure that Hearn agrees with him. Pulev is much easier and Eddie has ties to Usyk. He might be able to manuver keeping both straps.

I agree. From a 'maximize the money' perspective. Pulev first. then if AJ gets stripped, Usyk can pick up that belt and make a mega fight to unify. All under fast Eddie's guidance.

Yeah
Milking his cash cow until the tests drop off.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 17:19

oogiebe wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 17:00
I agree. From a 'maximize the money' perspective. Pulev first. then if AJ gets stripped, Usyk can pick up that belt and make a mega fight to unify. All under fast Eddie's guidance.

Yeah
Milking his cash cow until the tests drop off.

No one cares about Usyk yet ... Pulev fight is first

Boxtune wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 17:47 No one cares about Usyk yet ... Pulev fight is first

Yeah you guys, don't care about interesting possibilities! Only care about boring likelihoods!

Boxtune wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 17:47 No one cares about Usyk yet ... Pulev fight is first

i think Usyk is the fighter we are all interested in seeing in the ring vs an elite more than anyone not named Fury/Wilder/Joshua.

AJ clearly said that Usyk was his choice as a more accomplished boxer.
I suppose that someone sometimes should accept his choice.

Boxtune wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 17:47 No one cares about Usyk yet ... Pulev fight is first

Doesn’t matter make the fight and then build it up, no one knew McClellan when he came over to fight Benn (boxing fans did) but they built it up and the masses cared

I dont see it happening next. It does not make sense financially.
They would be giving a belt out of Hearn's house. I just can't see it being next

Why would they give up the IBF, when they can have Josh keep the IBF and then have the Usyk fight more hyped than before?

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 19:15 Why would they give up the IBF, when they can have Josh keep the IBF and then have the Usyk fight more hyped than before?

Or if the wbo strip Joshua you can have a unification fight that would be even bigger.
I still say Pulev is next.

Ya, to me it just seems obvious that Pulev will be first

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 19:20 Ya, to me it just seems obvious that Pulev will be first

Yes, let the old bastard get his shot.
Usyk needs to fight a another top dog or somebody who will give him a real test at the HW.

Joshua will face Usyk within the short-term, but I still expect AJ’s next opponent to be Pulev.

DAZN/Matchroom won’t allow Joshua to vacate the IBF title at the benefit of one of their business rivals (ESPN/Top Rank).

Also, it’s more beneficial to pay Pulev his 25 per cent share, as per the IBF’s mandatory challenger rules, than to engage in an expensive title unification further down the line (with the purse split, PPV revenue, gate receipts split evenly between fighters, promoters and networks).

So AJ can vacate the WBO crown now, for it to be awarded to one of his stablemates and then he can easily make an attempt to reclaim it at a later date.

oogiebe wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 17:32

KiwiRider wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 17:19
Yeah
Milking his cash cow until the tests drop off.

Stupid spell correct made teats into tests.

Paci wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 19:44

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 19:20 Ya, to me it just seems obvious that Pulev will be first

Yes, let the old bastard get his shot.
Usyk needs to fight a another top dog or somebody who will give him a real test at the HW.

Actually, from a legacy perspective, fighting Pulev will bump AJ up a bit in the all time standings, beating Usyk ( if he can) will probably put AJ into the top 25 all time heavies.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 21:02

oogiebe wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 17:32

Stupid spell correct made teats into tests.

LOL!!! Scarily enough, I read it as teats! Guess i'm getting to know ya!

I've seen someone predict either here or another forum that it will be Pulev-Kownacki next but that just seems stupid to let a belt go out of house when it doesn't have to and when a Usyk fight can still be promoted more for later in the year

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 21:25 I've seen someone predict either here or another forum that it will be Pulev-Kownacki next but that just seems stupid to let a belt go out of house when it doesn't have to and when a Usyk fight can still be promoted more for later in the year

I agree. Maybe kow vs ortiz in the spring. Aj is fighting Pulev to get the mandy out of the way. Little doubt here.

Usyk is being wildly over rated based on beating Witherspoon ?
A great Cruiserweight who should move up slower rather than
getting KTFO and being a one payday wonder.
The judges will not very likely give him a points win over Joshua.

It’s a shame he’s not talking more about the winner of Wilder vs Fury. That’s the fight I’d like to see