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

[Kris Silver]

Could still do both if AJ fights 3 times again this year.

Ngannou first while the IBF situation plays out from Fury-Usyk 1 and then Hrgovic if it becomes available while the likely Fury-Usyk rematch happens.

If things go as Hearn will hope then Fury-AJ towards the end of 2024/ early 2025.

I think it's smart matchmaking honestly. They're trying to set up a potential Fury fight. Talk of Sanchez or Zhang are fantasy while they bring nothing but a risky challenge to the table. AJ gains nothing from beating them other than briefly appeasing a few haters who will just find something else to complain about instead. Zhang would become old if he loses or Sanchez too inexperienced

There's a rematch clause in the end for Fury vs Usyk, right?

That's the only complicating factor.

If Usyk wins both he'll quite possibly retire. Which is a shame, but Josh wasn't aggressive enough, twice.

Joshua needs to keep busy as you say. With the Ngannou fight he's betting Fury wins, and...their rematch.

[ShoulderRoll]

Could still do both if AJ fights 3 times again this year.

Ngannou first while the IBF situation plays out from Fury-Usyk 1 and then Hrgovic if it becomes available while the likely Fury-Usyk rematch happens.

If things go as Hearn will hope then Fury-AJ towards the end of 2024/ early 2025.

I think it's smart matchmaking honestly. They're trying to set up a potential Fury fight. Talk of Sanchez or Zhang are fantasy while they bring nothing but a risky challenge to the table. AJ gains nothing from beating them other than briefly appeasing a few haters who will just find something else to complain about instead. Zhang would become old if he loses or Sanchez too inexperienced

So Joshua is basically going to try to cruise and take the easiest path possible to a title shot. Instead of clearing out the other contenders.

[Boro]

I disagree and I think you're using a lot of unnecessary theatrical language (and not to mention emboldened words and italics). Racking up massive post counts in an obsessive manner doesn't seem in any way relevant to the likelihood of purchasing subscriptions or PPVs. Not least because many of those same people proudly boast about illegal streams.

To equate the inane ramblings of semi-literate edgelords with the informed opinion of professional critics seems tenuous too. Unless you're referring to reviews on sites like Trustpilot where there's plenty of emotional drivel to wade through too.

If you're trying to imply i'm the one using theatrical language that's laughable and i'm certainly not trying to "rack up post counts" I couldn't care less about my post count.

Of course it isn't indicative of buying subscriptions or PPVs or not but the very same people who pirate are also the people who buy subscriptions to netflix or some shít whilst using Ublock or something essentially stealing from others.

And it's ironic you find yourself somehow able to pass judgement on others whilst acting like the very same edgelord on the internet you claim others to be.

[JakeTheBoxer]

I don't think that's the logic at all.

Joshua doesn't have to 'defend' against the other guys. He's got nothing to defend.

Fury fought Ngannou as a world champion fighting an unranked guy with no professional boxing experience. It shouldn't have been allowed.

Joshua is absolutely entitled to take the biggest money fight available.

Personally, I don't like it. I'd rather see the division bring resolved rather than this sideshow, but no-one can argue that it wasn't Fury and his team who caused this situation. Ngannou does need to be battered for the sake of boxing. And if that happens, Fury's position will be heavily questioned.

Lol, Joshua must beat Ngannou because Fury looked bad fighting Ngannou?

So I guess Joshua also must have fought Wallin because Wallin cut Fury.

Is Fury Joshua`s dad or something?

Lol, be honest and say Zhang and Sanchez are too dangerous for Joshua and he could lose just as Wilder lost to Parker.

[Toffee]

So Joshua is basically going to try to cruise and take the easiest path possible to a title shot. Instead of clearing out the other contenders.

Why does Joshua have to clear out the division?

You people set incredibly high standards for him.

[Boro]

I don't think that's the logic at all.

Joshua doesn't have to 'defend' against the other guys. He's got nothing to defend.

Fury fought Ngannou as a world champion fighting an unranked guy with no professional boxing experience. It shouldn't have been allowed.

Joshua is absolutely entitled to take the biggest money fight available.

Personally, I don't like it. I'd rather see the division bring resolved rather than this sideshow, but no-one can argue that it wasn't Fury and his team who caused this situation. Ngannou does need to be battered for the sake of boxing. And if that happens, Fury's position will be heavily questioned.

Why shouldn't Fury of been allowed to fight Ngannou if Ali was allowed to fight Inoki whilst being undisputed.

You could argue Ali had a bigger burden on him as he wasn't just a belt holder but seen as THE guy and had a need to keep proving it at that point...

As for Joshua he claims he's chasing belts but if Fury and Usyk goes ahead it's almost certain the winner gets stripped of the IBF just like Fury did when he fought Wlad, 10 days it took for them to strip him because he arranged a rematch with Wlad.

So why wouldn't he just wait for the Hgrovic fight.

[diarraisagod]

So Joshua is basically going to try to cruise and take the easiest path possible to a title shot. Instead of clearing out the other contenders.

I don't know why that surprises you. It's entirely normal these days.

Who did Fury fight in his 3 fights prior to Klitschko?

Who did Wilder fight 3 fights prior to Stiverne 1?

Would I prefer contenders battle each other to climb the ladder and stay in competitive fights? Sure.

But it's not been the norm in boxing for a long time. It's not just an AJ thing, nor a Matchroom thing it's a most of boxing thing.

From a business perspective it just doesn't make sense. Pretty much every fighter wants to take the risks when there's something on the line ie a payday or a title.

Taking on a Sanchez or Zhang is the absolutely perfect example of high risk-low reward fight. All the upside would be for them.

[pollywog]

How do you objectively make those conclusions?

The Joseph Parker AJ fought was unbeaten, more confident as he had never been knocked out.

2024 Parker at 31, with a huge amount of life and boxing experience having made intergenerational money, settled into family life, lost a title, been knocked out, changed trainers, dealt with drug dealing and worked himself into a top ranking again is a now a more complete human and a better fighter because of the adversity and success since losing to AJ.

He is way more confident in his and his teams ability to take on anyone and succeed than the 2018 version.

Can you say the same about AJ who seems like an entitled, fragile, insecure diva that hasn't come to grips with life and loss ?

[diarraisagod]

Why does Joshua have to clear out the division?

You people set incredibly high standards for him.

Yeah indeed. The same demands aren't made of other fighters.

Who should Wilder fight for example if he wants to put himself back in contention for big fights?

[pollywog]

Yeah indeed. The same demands aren't made of other fighters.

Who should Wilder fight for example if he wants to put himself back in contention for big fights?

A-Side Joshy wants to be the last man standing by sitting in the corner watching Oilskin Parker clear out the division.