BoxRec

I thought I'd put in that disclaimer straight away to avoid disappointing anyone, but who would not want to see a fight between Oscar Rivas and Murat Gassiev? Given that I'm asking boxing fans I would imagine very few would truthfully say they would not.

Forgetting the politics WBC/PBC there is no reason why this fight shouldn't be made, especially since it surely can't be long before those other grasping bastards follow the wisdom of Sulaiman, and get on the Bridgerweight bandwagon, nominating their own vacant title contenders. Belts = Sanction fees, it is surely inevitable.

This will be met with derision, anger, disbelief. Most fans regard a new weight division as about as desirabe as a new variant of Covid, and who can blame them? We do not need another pointless division at 224lbs we already have too many divisions especially at the lower weights, I know that.

Having said that there is no reason to match Rivas and Gassiev at Heavyweight, it's a very attractive match but it doesn't make sense. Neither of these guys are likely to be competing for a (premium belt) at Heavyweight in the forseeable future, so the finances are unlikely to add up, however it would make sense at Bridgerweight.

All I'm saying is this cloud does have a silver lining. The introduction of this weight-class will likely have little or no effect on the Heavyweight Title scene, but it should generate some very interesting and enjoyable fights which would otherwise have no reason to get made.

both are heavy and good enough to compete at heavy at top level. couple of 'good' fights (like against each other) away from a title shot. if they don't it's their decision.

eff badgerweight!! fvck that shite!

Rivas vs Gassiev would be a fine Heavyweight fight.

There is no Bridgerweight

It would be a fine fight at heavyweight but is it likely to get made? I would expect it would be much more likely if there were a title involved, where these two would be among the best of those elligible. Otherwise it's a high risk/low reward fight for both of them. Wouldn't they prefer to beat up Arreola or Breazeale if it's just a regular ten rounder with no titles and run of the mill purses?

I'm not trying to sell you Bridgerweight. I'm just looking for the positives because I can't see it going away, and I don't think people like Gilberto Mendacious are going to allow Sulaiman a monopoly on an opportunity to increase revenue.