Why AJ - Hrgovic was unworkable for March

[dan-b]

This is not a defence of Ngannou as an opponent (I would have preferred Zhang) but my quoted post below is true whether one loves AJ or hates his guts (although I suggest each party become less emotionally involved).

I am also aware the WBA and IBF situations are not exactly analogous. Fury - Usyk is a unification, a rematch wouldn't be (unless they draw the first fight). But there is nonetheless a process the IBF has to go through before stripping a fighter unless a fighter has actually signed a contract to face a different opponent, so there are similarities.

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?

[_Rexy_]

Well yeah, they're not going to do the fight unless/until the IBF is vacant.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Even if the IBF was available AJ still would have chosen to fight Ngannou. 99% of fighters will choose money over belts and we all know 100% of promoters will.

[ShoulderRoll]

A few days ago Eddie Hearn dropped 3 names as possible opponents for Joshua’s next fight: Hrgovic, Zhang, and Ngannou.

The cynical among us suggested that Hearn would pick the easiest one. And sure enough Ngannou got the call.

[juggernaut666]

A few days ago Eddie Hearn dropped 3 names as possible opponents for Joshua’s next fight: Hrgovic, Zhang, and Ngannou.

The cynical among us suggested that Hearn would pick the easiest one. And sure enough Ngannou got the call.

Of course it would be Ngannou they talked about this fight even before Fury and team Ngannou was contacted weeks ago .

If Joshua was fighting Zhang you’d just say he’s ducking Ngannou and facing Zhang coming off an injury .

[Toffee]

A few days ago Eddie Hearn dropped 3 names as possible opponents for Joshua’s next fight: Hrgovic, Zhang, and Ngannou.

The cynical among us suggested that Hearn would pick the easiest one. And sure enough Ngannou got the call.

If you were Joshua, who would you have picked?

Hrgovic will be for a belt at some point. No reason to take him now.

Ngannou is the easiest fight for the most money and for the most pressure on Fury. Unfortunately that's the position.

And at least he's staying active.

[Mammoth]

Even if the IBF was available AJ still would have chosen to fight Ngannou. 99% of fighters will choose money over belts and we all know 100% of promoters will.

Yep. Nobody is picking to work at McDonald's over a salaried position. Boxing fans need to hear it more often.

[ShoulderRoll]

Of course it would be Ngannou they talked about this fight even before Fury and team Ngannou was contacted weeks ago .

If Joshua was fighting Zhang you’d just say he’s ducking Ngannou and facing Zhang coming off an injury .

I’d respect Joshua if he had fought Zhang who just destroyed Joe Joyce twice. But I knew that was the riskiest opponent and thus the least likely to get chosen.

He should have fought your mancrush Hrgovic at least.

[JakeTheBoxer]

If you were Joshua, who would you have picked?

Hrgovic will be for a belt at some point. No reason to take him now.

Ngannou is the easiest fight for the most money and for the most pressure on Fury. Unfortunately that's the position.

And at least he's staying active.

What pressure? Oh, you mean, Joshua wants to fight Fury after Fury loses to Usyk? Wow, that will be a huge fight. In Uk maybe.

Read my words: usyk will beat Fury. People should stop dreaming some huge fights that will probably never happen, like Fury -Joshua for all the belts.

[Toffee]

What pressure? Oh, you mean, Joshua wants to fight Fury after Fury loses to Usyk? Wow, that will be a huge fight. In Uk maybe.

Read my words: usyk will beat Fury. People should stop dreaming some huge fights that will probably never happen, like Fury -Joshua for all the belts.

Fury Joshua will always be big. And needs to happen at some point soon.

I think Usyk beats Fury also. If they fight. Then the belts become fractured.