This One Isn't On AJ

I have been among the most vocal of critics of Anthony Joshua for avoiding what I thought were good fights. I still think the reason AJ has not fought Ortiz or Wilder and now Fury is largely a result of Hearn not wanting those fights and AJ allowing his promoter to dictate as such. But, this latest? This latest is not on AJ (or Hearn for that matter) and is actually a very good move. Wilder or Fury will not be available. They are fighting each other again in a fight that may be just as lucrative or more lucrative as a Wembley fight with AJ. That isn't really AJ's fault (at least not directly)...or Fury's or Deontay's. If it's anyone's fault, it's Hearn's (for creating the conditions that made the Wilder vs Fury fight a viable alternative). Luis Ortiz isn't available either. He is fighting next month and it might be asking too much of a 39 year old to turn around in less than 3 months- the last time he fought 2 fights within 3 months time was 2015. Besides, there is a history of pretty bad blood between Ortiz and both Matchroom heavies, with Ortiz accusing both of avoiding him. No one really wants to see a Whyte rematch either. And, a second win does nothing for AJ except further line his pockets...but a one-sided or quick outcome in an April Wembley Whyte rematch that was overhyped might do more harm than good to AJ's bottom line. Yes, it would be another boatload of money for AJ, but a shyt fight would be the thing that could very well kill the golden goose, so why risk that? No, the Miller fight is the right call for here and now, for this particular set of circumstances. It introduces him to an American audience up close and personal, and gives him the chance to really state his case for being a draw internationally, and not just in Britain. I know folks want to point out how AJ should have made his American debut in what is still probably the biggest fight that can be made in the sport, but folks need to also recognize that a) The Wilder fight was never going to be realistic for the first part of 2019 as soon as the Fury fight was a draw and, b) It's probably better this way because a decent showing against Miller (who is very credible as an opponent) will go a long way towards making a Wilder vs AJ showdown even bigger. These next two fights might serve as an unofficial semi-final with (hopefully) AJ and Wilder emerging victorious to set up the Mega fight in the Fall of 2019. And btw, while I fully expect AJ to beat Miller, this is no gimme fight for AJ. There is a scenario by which Big Baby could win, but he'd have to be very clever and disciplined about it...that, and avoid the worst of AJ's bombs for 12 rounds. Possible? Yes. Probable? No. Credit to AJ and Hearn for making the best out of a bad situation...even if it was likely Hearn's lowball tactics that were at least partly responsible for making this necessary in the first place.

Comments (18)

Ortiz, Whyte and Povetkin are already played cards. They tried their best and they failed. They are too weak to threaten the title holders. They all lost by heavy knockouts. Let's talk about better challengers.

7y ago

Toffee

I doubt this fight happens if Fury wins, Warren would want 50/50 like he is demanding now for Fury or 60/40. It would be easier to make the Joshua/Wilder fight, because a lot of americans would demand Wilder take that fight. Fury is a star and if he beats Wilder he'll deserve the 50%. I think he'll get it too. With a rematch. I just don't see Wilder fighting Joshua until he's a challenger and it's for retirement money. Lewis v Tyson style.

7y ago

Ray

If Wilder somehow scrapes a win I can't see him going for undisputed. He can dodge it, and I think he will. I firmly believe both AJ and Fury want that title. I doubt this fight happens if Fury wins, Warren would want 50/50 like he is demanding now for Fury or 60/40. It would be easier to make the Joshua/Wilder fight, because a lot of americans would demand Wilder take that fight.

7y ago

Toffee

If Wilder somehow scrapes a win I can't see him going for undisputed. He can dodge it, and I think he will. I firmly believe both AJ and Fury want that title.

7y ago

Armchairhero

I haven’t met a single Brit boxing fan other than on the boards who is bothered about AJ not fighting Whyte again. He could have fought Whyte, miller or Ortiz and he would have got criticised for any of them. Hopefully the wilder/fury fight has a clear winner so the champ can face the champ

7y ago

Scopedog

He's made the best of a bad situation honestly, it was either Miller or Whyte. I think Whyte would have been better but not by too much. Obviously it's not ideal but it's just Hearn reaping what he's sown, he could have had a way better fight all the way back in September but we all know how that went. Wilder, Fury et. al. all figured out that while Joshua is the biggest prize in the division, he's not the only one and that they don't need to prostrate themselves before Hearn to continue earning good money and enhancing their profiles, and that Joshua and Hearn can wait until they're ready to negotiate in good faith and a clearer pecking order is established.

7y ago

LetOutTheCage

Sorry but as an AJ fan I am going to be critical, this is not a good fight. Miller has done nothing to warrant this fight, the fat slob has been feasting off of bums.

7y ago

koolkc107

If they want to say that then fine but stop acting like it isn't just about the money. Don't act like it's for legacy. If they are confident of beating Joshua then it's an investment fight isn't it It's the same as how Hearn paid Charles Martin WAY more than he was worth to get that fight, in isolation a dumb move but it was an investment. All of them involved are greedy money grabbers including AJ and Hearn But Wilder can shut up about one face blah blah. He's almost 34 and an underdog in his next fight. If he loses his chances of ever being more that a single belt holder are virtually gone and he will go down as a guy who won a belt and made one good defence of it. What sort of legacy is that You could say the same about AJ. Why won't he give a more equitable split if he is so certain he is going to win? And Charles Martin was just careful management, plain and simple. They overpaid him because he was an accident that ended up with a belt and was likely to lose it against any top 15 heavy he happened to step in with. But, Martin is a "great champion" to some AJ fans. It's just a bit much. Good thing this all should be sorted out by the year's end. AJ has to fight Wilder or fury THIS year or he risks becoming irrelevant in the division, kinda like Adonis did at light heavy.

7y ago

4truth

The greedy princess is lucky to find a fighter of even Miller’s caliber who will fight him.

7y ago

JRB123

There was no other choice that was available for Joshua. His objective is to have the undisputed heavyweight championship in the UK. Only Wilder can make that possible, but since he doesn't have the courage to find a pen, Joshua had to look for another option. Whyte was built over the 2018 year to become a better fighter and build up his resume with matches against Browne, Parker, and Chisora. Not many fighters had that type of schedule. Ortiz is a myth. He had his chance and blew it by not only refusing to fight Ustinov in 2016 but then signing with Haymon in March 2017. One month later he was scheduled to be tested randomly for a fight but claimed an injury. He subsequently got popped for diuretics. If he was serious about fighting for a title, then he should have chilled out and waited for Joshua's IBF mandatory to be honored. With that being known, Miller was the best option available.

7y ago

boliodogs

HW ratings. 1. Joshua 2. Wilder (Offered 60/40, turned down 15 mil last year to fight Fury for 7) 3. Fury (Offered 60/40) 4. Whyte (Already beat, Whyte asking for too much for a rematch) 5. Povetkin (Just beat) 6. Miller (Fighting next) Joshua's competition is fine.Agreed. His competition is fine and he has defeated more champions and top contenders that Wilder and Fury combined in far fewer pro fights. AJ vs Miller is a good fight and the best fight AJ could take under the circumstances.

7y ago

koolkc107

Wilder, Fury and Whyte all turned down career high paydays to fight Joshua at wembley in April for 3 belts. That's really the end of the discussion. Miller is a decent option I'm looking forward to it They turned down career high paydays because they deserved more (at least Wilder and Fury did) and Hearn knows it. Why else is the April 13th date a bust without them? Why else is America all of a sudden on the menu? Seems to me, the discussion- the real talk- is just beginning. Hopefully, Hearn has been humbled enough to deal straighter next time.

7y ago

Fanofreason

I don’t think 80k watching him on the Dazn app really intros him to America

7y ago

koolkc107

Haha I meant to say Takam! Have edited! Agree that Ortiz and fury may beat them - but neither have faced them. People are critical of wilder, but outside of AJ, most of the top heavyweights haven’t fought many either. Ortiz and Miller have literally beaten nobody, Fury beat Klitschko but nobody else. I give credit to Parker too because you have to say he hasn’t been ducking either. He’s beaten Takam, Ruiz Jr, fury (Hughie), and faced Joshua and Whyte. Now he’s expected to take on Povetkin or Chisora who is much improved recently and a bit of a red herring for most (you won’t get the credit due to the losses he has previously). Now Parker has taken on some less credible opponents like wilder too to be fair if he’s calling Povetkin/Chisora out now that is a good sign and suggests he will fight the rest too! I know you meant Takam, but I did laugh like hell. All I am saying is criticizing Wilder's resume used to be kind of a thing, but it shouldn't be any longer. Not with him fighting who he fought in 2018 and coming thru it still holding his belts.

7y ago

Kezzer

A formidable list, especially that Taiwan. Thing is, Ortiz and Fury probably beat all of them. I get the criticism of some of Wilder's past opponents. But his 2018 opponents are arguably better than any of AJ's. That said, you will not find me criticizing AJ for fighting Miller or going to NY to do so. It's the right move. And Miller is more than a credible opponent. Haha I meant to say Takam! Have edited! Agree that Ortiz and fury may beat them - but neither have faced them. People are critical of wilder, but outside of AJ, most of the top heavyweights haven’t fought many either. Ortiz and Miller have literally beaten nobody, Fury beat Klitschko but nobody else. I give credit to Parker too because you have to say he hasn’t been ducking either. He’s beaten Takam, Ruiz Jr, fury (Hughie), and faced Joshua and Whyte. Now he’s expected to take on Povetkin or Chisora who is much improved recently and a bit of a red herring for most (you won’t get the credit due to the losses he has previously). Now Parker has taken on some less credible opponents like wilder too to be fair if he’s calling Povetkin/Chisora out now that is a good sign and suggests he will fight the rest too!

7y ago

koolkc107

Joshua has already beaten Klischko, Parker, Povetkin, Taiwan, Whyte and Brezeale. We also know both Wilder and Fury have turned down 40% / biggest ever paydays. He now has critics for taking on another opponent who is top10 and arguably top5. I’m having none of it while his opponents have resumes of 1 or 2 top10 opposition against their name. For me, Joshua can still take on Usyk, Ortiz, Whyte2, Fury and Wilder after Miller and I’m unlikely to be critical regardless of order. I “might” include Pulev there but only if mandated. Others like Kownacki, Joyce, etc may get themselves into that position in future but at this moment I don’t think there is anyone else I would like him to face - and that’s largely because he has set high standard expectations already. A formidable list, especially that Taiwan. Thing is, Ortiz and Fury probably beat all of them. I get the criticism of some of Wilder's past opponents. But his 2018 opponents are arguably better than any of AJ's. That said, you will not find me criticizing AJ for fighting Miller or going to NY to do so. It's the right move. And Miller is more than a credible opponent.

7y ago

Kezzer

Joshua has already beaten Klischko, Parker, Povetkin, Takam, Whyte and Brezeale. We also know both Wilder and Fury have turned down 40% / biggest ever paydays. He now has critics for taking on another opponent who is top10 and arguably top5. I’m having none of it while his opponents have resumes of 1 or 2 top10 opposition against their name. For me, Joshua can still take on Usyk, Ortiz, Whyte2, Fury and Wilder after Miller and I’m unlikely to be critical regardless of order. I “might” include Pulev there but only if mandated. Others like Kownacki, Joyce, etc may get themselves into that position in future but at this moment I don’t think there is anyone else I would like him to face - and that’s largely because he has set high standard expectations already.

7y ago

RJJ9402GOAT

Hearn is massively culpable but at some point a fighter must take ownership of his own career. Do you think Team Fury wanted him to fight Wilder so early into his comeback? Do you think Team Wilder wanted Deontay to go through with the Ortiz fight after he popped? Do you think they wanted him to take a voluntary defence against Tyson Fury? Excuses, excuses, excuses... I’m tired of them. Don’t quote me fanboys. (You’re probably on ignore anyway tbh, so don’t expect a response)

7y ago