Comments Thread For: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou - Done Deal, On Date TBD In Riyadh

[Boxviewer]

Interesting, he went for the opportunity to yet again shit on Fury's resume which I am predicting he will and win a one sided decision.

I agree with you. However I think AJ is going KO Ngannou.

[Goatintheboat]

AJ and Hearn taking this fight suggests they're not prioritising the IBF. Hearn hinted at this recently and I assume that waiting until after February 17th to schedule his next fight was unworkable. Let's break it down:

1. Winner of Fury - Usyk is ordered to face Hrgovic. We're assuming this happens but nothing is certain in boxing.
2. Fury and Usyk enter long rematch negotiations and string the IBF along (like they did the WBA in 2023).
3. We're assuming Fury and Usyk winner doesn't face Hrgovic (who is the actual mandatory) but what if they do?
4. If title becomes vacant AJ would need to be ranked number 2, and available, to be ordered to face Hrgovic for the belt. This isn't certain, as you alluded to above.
5. A negotiating period to make this happen is also required. How long does all this take?

You are probably right about wanting to fix Joshua's next fight in March. Obviously there was the prior Wilder deal so it may have already been contracted with the Saudis. Still think the IBF is in Hearns sights though and probably expects the timing and ranking to work even with taking this fight. Could be risky though if Parker or Kabayel take stronger fights and move ahead of Joshua in the rankings. He who dares Rodney......

[JakeTheBoxer]

Joshua knocked out Joyce in one round in the amateurs.... it took Zhang two fights to do it.

That doesn`t mean anything. Another great triangle theory from you.

[dan-b]

Way to go, Deontay Wilder. This is all your fault.

Now Eddie Hearn is going to find the easiest opponents he can that will keep his meal ticket earning and safe.

Outside of Fury and Usyk, who do you see as a serious danger to AJ? Honestly. It's a pretty weak division.

He's already beaten Parker, Wilder's done (I don't say that with malice, I hope he walks away and enjoys the peace he's found), Kabayel is fringe. Bakole, Hrgovic, Zhang - very good fighters but far from guaranteed to beat Joshua. I'd like to see him face Zhang before the year is out.

[Boxviewer]

AJ and Hearn taking this fight suggests they're not prioritising the IBF. Hearn hinted at this recently and I assume that waiting until after February 17th to schedule his next fight was unworkable. Let's break it down:

1. Winner of Fury - Usyk is ordered to face Hrgovic. We're assuming this happens but nothing is certain in boxing.
2. Fury and Usyk enter long rematch negotiations and string the IBF along (like they did the WBA in 2023).
3. We're assuming Fury and Usyk winner doesn't face Hrgovic (who is the actual mandatory) but what if they do?
4. If title becomes vacant AJ would need to be ranked number 2, and available, to be ordered to face Hrgovic for the belt. This isn't certain, as you alluded to above.
5. A negotiating period to make this happen is also required. How long does all this take?

Thanks for explaining the reality to those who are ignorant of how things work in boxing and or always ready to bash AJ about everything senselessly.

[dan-b]

As others have said, more so happy for Ngannou to make bank than anything else.

Which is such a bizarre thing for fans of sport to care about. You don't personally benefit from the money at all.

[dan-b]

Their milking the boxing public with this fight.

No one's forced to buy it. What you do if you're not interested in a particular fight is not watch it and do something else. I assume you have other interests/hobbies in your life other than boxing?

[pollywog]

Outside of Fury and Usyk, who do you see as a serious danger to AJ? Honestly. It's a pretty weak division.

He's already beaten Parker.

What is it with thinking just cos A-Side beat Oilskin six years ago that he would do it again.

Parker would fùck him up good and proper nowadays.

[dan-b]

Definitely didn’t feel hrgovic won that at all but sure, he got the w

I thought that when I watched live but having recently watched in full again I think I was too swayed by the early knockdown. Zhang tired a lot towards the end.

[Boxviewer]

Fury destroys AJ you dumb *****

Greedy Belly couldn't even beat a novice and went life and death vs Wallin a guy AJ destroyed in 5. Greedy Belly is grossly overrated and Usyk is about expose once again. AJ ain't limited one-trick pony Wilder with tiny and weak legs.