So this Saudi deal....

[leejonesjnr]

As I understand it, the Saudis want to arrange Usyk v Fury and Joshua v Wilder with the winners then boxing one another to determine an undisputed champion.
Why bother with three fights, only Usyk v Fury is required?

[Ezzard]

Who doesn't want to see AJ-Wilder? Come on... Usyk-Fury is unlikely to be a barn burner.

[leejonesjnr]

Who doesn't want to see AJ-Wilder? Come on... Usyk-Fury is unlikely to be a barn burner.

I would certainly like to see it, it just occurs to me that this ‘tournament’ idea isn’t really a tournament.
For me personally, I’m happy for Tyson Fury to fq off and never be seen again and have the Saudis pair up top guys with the winners boxing Usyk or whomever is the champion should one of them beat him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Shame we're relying on the Saudi's to get things done.

[leejonesjnr]

Shame we're relying on the Saudi's to get things done.

Strange thing to say, that’s who wants to pay the most so that’s where some big fights will take place.
I’m perfectly on board with the world not taking their business there until the place sorts itself out but I don’t think that’s what you are getting at is it?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Shame we're relying on the Saudi's to get things done.

Strange thing to say, that’s who wants to pay the most so that’s where some big fights will take place.
I’m perfectly on board with the world not taking their business there until the place sorts itself out but I don’t think that’s what you are getting at is it?

If they can make the best fights, then so be it. money talks. Saudi have money. People want money. You go where the money is.

[stevec@france]

Shame we're relying on the Saudi's to get things done.

Hmm are we really relying on the saudis ?

The whole thing will surely be more reliant on Fury`s fluctuating state of mind and whatever whimsical nonsense he comes up with during the negotiations , whilst fwank will be on YT squirming and pointing the blame at " the other side " for anything that seems to be even slightly problematic .
Hearn will quite rightly play hardball and work hard to get the best he can for AJ as you would expect .
Arum will be happy to get the US share of the pie with Wilder so I dont see that as an issue .
But then Usyk and his team are already well pissed off with Fury and his team so will not be pushed around and again will insist on a respectable position for Usyk as a multiple belt holder .

Frankly the Saudis just have to confirm the total bid on offer and let the promoters and managers do all the leg work - which is where it will likely come unstuck due to greed / hidden agendas / egos etc by which time the saudis will lose interest and do something else with their money fountain.

So personally I doubt we actually get it anyway

[mickey1975]

It seems to be the theme on Twitter that Kinahan is heavily connected to the Saudis. Various pictures of everyone in the Usyk deal with him, the shoutout to Sam Jones by that Skills challenge guy, Eddie getting Catteral, Edwards and Prograis. Everything stinks of DK.

[si7dog7]

It seems to be the theme on Twitter that Kinahan is heavily connected to the Saudis. Various pictures of everyone in the Usyk deal with him, the shoutout to Sam Jones by that Skills challenge guy, Eddie getting Catteral, Edwards and Prograis. Everything stinks of DK.

Sadly. Mickey is correct.
Something smells

And it ain’t my feet.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Saudi Arabia have enough PR problems as it is, surely the authorities will make it known to all concerned that Kinahan is persona non grata - it’s not as if they need his money

[garethhop]

[Nightmare Roy]

All looks a bit sketchy but I wouldn't want to comment, great bunch of lads

[stevec@france]

DK is living on borrowed time until he gets nicked and shipped off to a max security holding pen in the us where he will have to suck all sorts just to stay alive .

[mickey1975]

DK is living on borrowed time until he gets nicked and shipped off to a max security holding pen in the us where he will have to suck all sorts just to stay alive .

I listened to a podcast saying he will be tipped off before they come and will probably end up in Iran.

[Nightmare Roy]

DK is living on borrowed time until he gets nicked and shipped off to a max security holding pen in the us where he will have to suck all sorts just to stay alive .

I listened to a podcast saying he will be tipped off before they come and will probably end up in Iran.

100%

[TheLeprechaun]

If it's good for boxing, then what can you say. Fighters out earning and being treated well and more fights for fans like us to enjoy. It's not going to take Sherlock Holmes to do the detective work but as far as I'm concerned as a boxing fan I'm happy with the fighters looked after and more fights to enjoy. It's not the Sunday Church Choir Club at the end of the day.

[Coco]

DK is living on borrowed time until he gets nicked and shipped off to a max security holding pen in the us where he will have to suck all sorts just to stay alive .

I listened to a podcast saying he will be tipped off before they come and will probably end up in Iran.

100%

If you are on the run from a powerful country like the US options are limited but there are better places than Iran.

Russia for a start! He may have probs getting into China unless he wanted to teach English but I'm sure they wouldn't extradite him!

Places like Cyprus might be less safe as the US prob has leverage over them, but he would be safe in Cuba, Venezuela and Equador.

Other than than places like Kazakstan wouldn't be a bad bet, or he could do a Ronnie Biggs and get a Brazilian bird pregnant!

[TheLeprechaun]

The US is not exactly a harbinger of fairness and decency. Just look at their foreign policy. I wouldn't put anything past them.

[Redback Rasta]

In a general sense I don't have a problem with the Saudis throwing money boxings way but I don't really understand their strategy in signing Usyk to a multi-fight contract.

I say that because Usyk has now effectively become the 'home' fighter in Saudi Arabia, and it certainly won't be good for business if he loses the first fight of his contract. So first up opponent beware, because you may have to knock Usyk out.

[mickey1975]

I listened to a podcast saying he will be tipped off before they come and will probably end up in Iran.

100%

If you are on the run from a powerful country like the US options are limited but there are better places than Iran.

Russia for a start! He may have probs getting into China unless he wanted to teach English but I'm sure they wouldn't extradite him!

Places like Cyprus might be less safe as the US prob has leverage over them, but he would be safe in Cuba, Venezuela and Equador.

Other than than places like Kazakstan wouldn't be a bad bet, or he could do a Ronnie Biggs and get a Brazilian bird pregnant!

Apparently a lot of their money already goes through Kish Island, a luxurious Iranian resort.

[funso banjo baby]

the introduction of Saudi Arabia has taken heavyweight boxing into the gutter.

[Nightmare Roy]

100%

If you are on the run from a powerful country like the US options are limited but there are better places than Iran.

Russia for a start! He may have probs getting into China unless he wanted to teach English but I'm sure they wouldn't extradite him!

Places like Cyprus might be less safe as the US prob has leverage over them, but he would be safe in Cuba, Venezuela and Equador.

Other than than places like Kazakstan wouldn't be a bad bet, or he could do a Ronnie Biggs and get a Brazilian bird pregnant!

Apparently a lot of their money already goes through Kish Island, a luxurious Iranian resort.

I listened to that pod cast too, although I thought the Iranians and Saudis were very anti drugs, more so than the west, not that I'm saying they have any involvement with drugs, but it's been rumoured.

Great bunch of lads

[mickey1975]

Social media comments seem to be a lot more favourable towards Fury since Usyks deal. I think people are seeing that they are all as bad as each other.

[HomicideHenry]

I think we should be unanimous and saying that Saudi Arabia has essentially ruined the heavyweight division. Promises of insane riches, etc has made the division stagnant. Why fight anyone for $10 million when you can wait until December to fight for $50 million? They've completely ruined the heavyweight division.

If our contenders and champions refuse to fight anymore unless it's crazy purses then either they need to retire or we the American or British public ought to say, "Hey we'll all chip in $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100 so the fights can happen here." Cus if you have 10 million boxing fans interested in undisputed, and you basically have everyone give $5 that's your $50 million there and everyone who donated gets the ppv free.

[Counter-puncher]

I think we should be unanimous and saying that Saudi Arabia has essentially ruined the heavyweight division.

it was in such hale and heart health previously, of course.