AJ-Pulev does nothing for me, it won’t tell us anything we don’t already know.
AJ-Usyk on the other hand is a very interesting clash of styles and would likely be the best opponent AJ has fought.
Providing the IBF and WBO both enforce mandatories, AJ will seemingly have to face Usyk or Pulev next, and if he is genuine about wanting to fight the best then Usyk is the obvious choice.
When AJ puts Usyk to sleep they will say AJ is coward because he fought a cruiserweight.
At this point, only win over Wilder or Fury counts. Outside that, it is not even important who AJ fights, he won`t get any credit for a win.
I expect either Team Usyk or Team Pulev to push for a vacant title fight if they don’t get AJ next.
I just really don’t wanna see the Pulev fight, it’s a of no interest. AJ-Usyk is the far better fight to make next. Then Wilder/Fury vs AJ/Usyk.
Fair enough. In an ideal world, Usyk and Pulev would fight each other and the winner would fight AJ for both belts.
I dont think Usyk would trade shots but at some stage an AJ right hand or left hook gets through, how many of those can he handle? It's why I'd rather see Usyk v Chisora and then someone like Parker and gauge where he is at. I actually think a motivated Chisora would beat him.
Why should Usyk have to fight both Parker and Chisora when HE’S ALREADY MANDATORY???
“Chisora beats him”😂😂😂
These fanboys man...
Or maybe AJ could fight both of them. Usyk can face a heavyweight better than Chazz Witherspoon while Joshua takes care of his first mandatory against Pulev. That way an AJ-Usyk fight becomes even bigger because Usyk is seen as more than just a blown-up cruiserweight.
I expect either Team Usyk or Team Pulev to push for a vacant title fight if they don’t get AJ next.
I just really don’t wanna see the Pulev fight, it’s a of no interest. AJ-Usyk is the far better fight to make next. Then Wilder/Fury vs AJ/Usyk.
First, stop all this "fight the best" nonsense. AJ has done nothing but fight the best.
Second, you will ***** and moan when AJ stop Usyk, who just isnt strong enough or move well enough at the weight. I'd rather Usyk had 2 more fights in the division against better opponents and when AJ does stop him, you lost can ***** less.
And here we have a delusional fanboy...
Wilder and Fury are the best in the division and AJ has not fought them.
Usyk is an elite level fighter and AJ would get a tonne of credit for beating him. Let’s just hope he doesn’t duck him and fight Pulev.
Pulev is a perfect opportunity for Joshua to add to his "1st round KO" count. And make a statement just like Wilder did against Breazeale or Stiverne II. If this goes past round 1, there is nothing interesting in the rest of the fight. So, pretty useless fight to me even if mandatory.
AJ-Pulev does nothing for me, it won’t tell us anything we don’t already know.
AJ-Usyk on the other hand is a very interesting clash of styles and would likely be the best opponent AJ has fought.
Providing the IBF and WBO both enforce mandatories, AJ will seemingly have to face Usyk or Pulev next, and if he is genuine about wanting to fight the best then Usyk is the obvious choice.
Or maybe AJ could fight both of them. Usyk can face a heavyweight better than Chazz Witherspoon while Joshua takes care of his first mandatory against Pulev. That way an AJ-Usyk fight becomes even bigger because Usyk is seen as more than just a blown-up cruiserweight.
I think it's certainly possible that AJ knocks Usyk out.
I highly doubt Usyk will go in there swinging. He's a gold medalist, he knows not to trade shots with a big man like Josh.
But he also knows one decent shot or combination could be all it takes to finish Joshua too
I dont think Usyk would trade shots but at some stage an AJ right hand or left hook gets through, how many of those can he handle? It's why I'd rather see Usyk v Chisora and then someone like Parker and gauge where he is at. I actually think a motivated Chisora would beat him.
I'm picking up a bit of a snooty vibe here.....
Joshua, the two fights a year fighter most likely doesn't take a fight then take another one a few months later. Maybe something could be worked out for a step aside for Usyk but boxingscene did report that Usyk's people did push for their mandatory shot.
Right, but all that said is they have to get into negotiations within the next 30 days. They can extend or do whatever they need to do to push the fight after the Pulev one.
First, stop all this "fight the best" nonsense. AJ has done nothing but fight the best.
Second, you will ***** and moan when AJ stop Usyk, who just isnt strong enough or move well enough at the weight. I'd rather Usyk had 2 more fights in the division against better opponents and when AJ does stop him, you lost can ***** less.
I think it's certainly possible that AJ knocks Usyk out.
I highly doubt Usyk will go in there swinging. He's a gold medalist, he knows not to trade shots with a big man like Josh.
But he also knows one decent shot or combination could be all it takes to finish Joshua too
AJ-Pulev does nothing for me, it won’t tell us anything we don’t already know.
AJ-Usyk on the other hand is a very interesting clash of styles and would likely be the best opponent AJ has fought.
Providing the IBF and WBO both enforce mandatories, AJ will seemingly have to face Usyk or Pulev next, and if he is genuine about wanting to fight the best then Usyk is the obvious choice.
First, stop all this "fight the best" nonsense. AJ has done nothing but fight the best.
Second, you will ***** and moan when AJ stop Usyk, who just isnt strong enough or move well enough at the weight. I'd rather Usyk had 2 more fights in the division against better opponents and when AJ does stop him, you lost can ***** less.
That means what exactly?
I'm picking up a bit of a snooty vibe here.....
Joshua, the two fights a year fighter most likely doesn't take a fight then take another one a few months later. Maybe something could be worked out for a step aside for Usyk but boxingscene did report that Usyk's people did push for their mandatory shot.
The @WorldBoxingOrg formally orders @anthonyfjoshua vs. @usykaa and sends letter giving them 30 days to make a deal. My story: https://t.co/OD6clxkfho #boxing @Fred_Cunningham @EddieHearn @MatchroomBoxing @Frank_1_Smith @KlimasBoxing @PacoValcarcel— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) December 12, 2019
Joshua should just vacate then unify with Usyk and of next year.
That means what exactly? He has supposedly 180 days to face him but he can come up with an agreement with Team Usyk to fight but not within 180 days. He's fighting Pulev next and then can fight Usyk a few months later.
He's going to fight both of them in 2020. Pulev fight has to happen before the end of May or else Joshua will be stripped. He should have more time to fight Usyk and him also being with Hearn, they can work something out.
Usyk will need at least one respectable HW fight before fighting Joshua. How about putting Usyk vs Chisora on the UC of Joshua vs Pulev in April or May? Then face off later in 2020?
The @WorldBoxingOrg formally orders @anthonyfjoshua vs. @usykaa and sends letter giving them 30 days to make a deal. My story: https://t.co/OD6clxkfho #boxing @Fred_Cunningham @EddieHearn @MatchroomBoxing @Frank_1_Smith @KlimasBoxing @PacoValcarcel— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) December 12, 2019
Joshua should just vacate then unify with Usyk and of next year.
He's going to fight both of them in 2020. Pulev fight has to happen before the end of May or else Joshua will be stripped. He should have more time to fight Usyk and him also being with Hearn, they can work something out.
Usyk will need at least one respectable HW fight before fighting Joshua. How about putting Usyk vs Chisora on the UC of Joshua vs Pulev in April or May? Then face off later in 2020?
You think 15st 5lb is enough to hold it with the giants?
I don’t think stylistically he will have to hold it with them. I expect Usyk to try and outbox the bigger guys, and I’m not sure he’ll need to bulk up in order to do so.
I expect him to be more Haye than Holyfield.
I dunno, I think extra weight could affect his mobility and output, which will likely be his two greatest assets up at HW.
You think 15st 5lb is enough to hold it with the giants?
Yes, Usyk at Cruiserweight would be the best Joshua has faced. I'm sceptical as to how Usyk would cope.
I highly rate and like Usyk but its one thing fighting Bellew and Witherspoon. Its another thing fighting Joshua. 15st 5lb against Witherspoon needs to be 16st 6lb+ against Joshua IMO.
I dunno, I think extra weight could affect his mobility and output, which will likely be his two greatest assets up at HW.
I feel like Usyk needs to fight a bit more in the heavyweight division considering his performance against Witherspoon before facing a HW top such as AJ. It would be a good fight either way.
I agree tbf, had the fight not been ordered, I’d rather see Usyk fight a top 10 guy first.
From a business standpoint, it makes sense for AJ to fight the Cobra for the IBF title because if the WBO strips AJ, the belt still remains inhouse for Matchroom.
Unfortunately that’s how I think it plays out, AJ should demand Usyk though, he’s always talking about, wanting to be the best, legacy etc. Time to prove he means it...