I'm not so sure Usyk has it in him to win to begin with but if he slips like he did v Chisora I don't see the ref waiving it off as a slip if its v AJ. I am not a UK/AJ hater by any means but its obvious to me that Usyk will have to win very clearly to take it on the cards as we've seen awful favoritism in a few fights in the past & a few bs stoppages.
I don't think theres any way Usyk will be allowed to win even if he deserves to in a full hotspurs stadium unless its a clear as day UD. I think AJ will have a handpicked ref,& 2 judges might already have cards filled out. ( The non weisfeld judges,as weisfeld had klit ahead of AJ at time of stoppage,& the 2 other judges already look like the sketchy randoms. )
I'm not saying that the US doesn't have robberies but AJ is the biggest attraction in the UK in any sport & him losing would derail hundreds of mils in future revenue
Why would he? He left Matchroom after that BS against Chisora with the ring and gloves. He's with K2 now.
My apologies for the confusion, I was referring to Joshua. Looking at the original post title, I realize now it sounds like I'm referring to Usyk.
Depending on who you ask Joshua is #1 or 1A of the sports stars. Usyk is in his mid 30’s and while a tremendous fighter this sport is starved for stars. Usyk would have to absolutely dominate this fight in such a one-sided fashion to win on the cards. Just like Plant vs Canelo. Usyk needs a knockout in my opinion. It’s unlikely but Joshua has been hurt and dropped by fighters besides Ruiz. Anything is possible.
A-side privellage is a thing in boxing and it has been for years.
Klitschko got it vs Povetkin and was allowed to turn their fight into a wrestling match, and that was IN RUSSIA
Wilder got an extra minutes rest against ortiz
Fury wasn't stopped on cuts vs wallin
Usyk is going to have to take the belts from Joshua, he will know that going into the fight, he will have to be aware of the optics of the fight, being the smaller man as well if he tries to stay out of range and is reluctant to engage that's not going to be good for him.
But at the same time I GUARENTEE you even if the fight is legitimately like 7 rounds Joshua 5 rounds Usyk that the online folks will cry robbery and hometown decision.
Usyk will need to dominate to win on the cards
Joshua will have to dominate to win in the court of public opinion.
I've seen so many people saying a robbery is the only way Joshua will win, or picking Joshua by robbery, it's like in a lot of people's minds a clean win just isn't possible, and I disagree. I actually think due to the way Usyk fights he could find himself a mile behind on the cards by the midway point and Joshua needing to win one or two of the last 6 rounds to retain.
good point.
hell no he isnt getting a decision unless he dominates more than 8 rounds.
AJ is the UK favorite and also the revenue generator. And there is pressure to match him against wilder-fury 3 winner
Boxing is shameless when it comes to the awful judges... and virtually all of them suck, you would have a better chance of beating an Iron Chef than getting a fair shake in a boxing match. There is so much that could easily be done... like having judges alternate rounds and let them slo mo certain points in the rounds they are judging, etc... but boxing wants corrupt judges.
Probably not, we are not the worst when it comes to dodgy decisions but we are not the best either. Its early stoppages in favour of the home fighter that we do worst. 1 wobble from Usyk and the ref could dive in and end it.
I'm a big AJ fan, Im a British Boxing fan, but I can't be doing with unfairness, we are only as guilty as anybody else but we are as guilty as anybody else.
May the best man win, I hope its Joshua but may the best man win. We should just be grateful neither of these guys are a PBC fighter as they are the real king of robberies.
That's always my concern, but according to the post above you, that's just part of being the A side, baby!
Probably not, we are not the worst when it comes to dodgy decisions but we are not the best either. Its early stoppages in favour of the home fighter that we do worst. 1 wobble from Usyk and the ref could dive in and end it.
I'm a big AJ fan, Im a British Boxing fan, but I can't be doing with unfairness, we are only as guilty as anybody else but we are as guilty as anybody else.
May the best man win, I hope its Joshua but may the best man win. We should just be grateful neither of these guys are a PBC fighter as they are the real king of robberies.
Outright fixes happen in lower level fights. And they happen all over the world. There are too many eyes on a fight like this for it to be fixed.
Joshua will get all the benefit of being the A Side. His team will have made 80% of the decisions to this point.
But on Saturday it's just two guys, a referee and three judges. None of them will be outright bent, though they may favour a certain style, they may instinctively give the champion close rounds, or they might have a poor view of proceedings at times.
That's not a fix. That's just normal boxing stuff that everyone, including Usyk when he signed the contract, understands.
Want A Side benefits? Be the A Side. It's not easy to get there.
No he will win every round and then lose 120-108 on the cards and be sent home to Ukraine empty handed.
They will petition the governing bodies but nothing will be done.
I imagine he will have the normal privileges and benefits that a house/promotional fighter enjoys but nothing more.
Why would he? He left Matchroom after that BS against Chisora with the ring and gloves. He's with K2 now.
I don't think Usyk can win by decision unless it's a complete one-sided shutout with no competitive rounds. I'm also concerned the fight will be stopped the moment he's hurt or gets dropped/cut.
This is how it is.
I am not a match room hater,but Eddie Hearn seems like he has full reign over Uk boxing. If there is funny business I don't think AJ would even be aware of it.
There’s so much funny business that goes on man. So much stuff people don’t even realize. The guys from the UK are very arrogant. Professional, but definitely arrogant.
Tbh if Usyk is there at the end he's likely to win a lot of rounds clearly if AJ gases because he is gonna be out boxing him clearly.
I think its gonna be cagey because AJ wont want to gas and Usyk himself will be circumspect for a fair few rounds because he wont want to get ironed out unnecessarily in the first 6 if he knows AJ will tire which he usually does, although admittedly he gains a 2nd wind usually.
I'd be surprised if Usyk won clearly and was robbed because if he does win clearly I think it will likely be because AJ has blown a gasket and will treading water at the end.
It is an interesting fight. I see AJ on points
Well yeah, gotta imagine that any rounds that are even remotely close are gonna go Joshua's way. Usyks definitely facing an uphill struggle but probably not vastly more than most fighters on the road.
I imagine he will have the normal privileges and benefits that a house/promotional fighter enjoys but nothing more.
I am not a match room hater,but Eddie Hearn seems like he has full reign over Uk boxing. If there is funny business I don't think AJ would even be aware of it.
I don't think Usyk can win by decision unless it's a complete one-sided shutout with no competitive rounds. I'm also concerned the fight will be stopped the moment he's hurt or gets dropped/cut.
4y ago
Will Usyk be given a fair shake in the UK? | BoxingScene Community