Usyk vs Parker: Saudi Arabia day "we are not interested"

[deathofaclown]

Why are you all mad as if it is some obligation for Saudi/Turki to make a fight? Neither fighter is signed to Turki or Saudi. Why are they going to pay for a fight they do not want.

Indeed, its their choice not to make the fight. There's nothing stopping another promoter putting it on, especially as it would go to purse bid.

However, everyone involved knows they would get much less money without the saudis. so its essentially saying to Usyk "if you wanna keep making these paydays and not make less money elsewhere, then you're gonna need to vacate that belt"

Just like when they essentially put out a threat to Bivol telling him to remember who gives him those paydays when there was talk of him fighting Benavidez, because they want him to fight Betebiev again...hence Bivol dropping a belt to follow the money.

So there's certainly an element of the Saudis money controlling aspects of the sport, but the responsibility lies with the fighter. Nobody is holding a gun to their head and making them take Saudis money. They're simply being given a choice that's very hard to refuse.

[deathofaclown]

Didnt Usyk just put out a statement that money means nothing to him anymore? Will be interesting to see his next choice and how he rationalizes it...........

Did he say that? Proof will be in the pudding on how he sees out the rest of his career.

I mean, this is a guy who made videos saying "more money eddie" and offering Joyce 6% of a purse. The whole idea some fans have that he's only about legacy is silly. He's openly said before he enjoys the money he's made.

I'm sure he would probably also say he's more than comfortable and got more than he could ever spend...but I imagine should there be an offer of a huge purse and a mediocre purse on the table, he'll go with the bigger purse.

[paulf]

Parker is the most interesting style matchup out there for Usyk in the immediate future.

Let Joshua and Fury, both of whom Usyk has beat twice, fight each other to try and get a rubber match.

[Lance98]

It's a good fight as parker has been looking good, so I don't know why turki doesn't like the fight. Turki is not all of boxing, so they can make the fight with someone else.

[Haka]

Turki will host HWs again when Usyk is retired or if he thinks Kabayel or Itauma have a chance.

[hugh grant]

Usyk v kabayel then. Surely Saudis want that?

[PRINCEKOOL]

I think a moment like this? Is pivotal for other promoters in the boxing world 'To stage events without any outside investment from certain places. Queensbury, Matchroom boxing or some other boxing promotion should pick this fight up, and stage in their chosen place'.

Because if they don't start producing events themselves? They will slowly but surely become just puppets in the game 'Now is the time, when they have to decide what their position and participation in the sport is going to be'.

The facts of the matter is 'If an Undisputed title fight was staged in the UK or in mainland Europe, I honestly believe Oleksandr Uysk vs a fighter even like Joseph Parker would still be a stadium fight'.

Note: And in regards to Uysk? I understand that right now, he is riding a wave of praise and hysterics from certain sections of the boxing community. But? Last year we all watched Oleksandr Uysk voluntary vacate his IBF World titles. In my opinion, I have always been adamant that he could have done more to hold onto his titles'.

If people want to compare Oleksandr Uysk to the past great Champions 'Then he needs to stop this behaviour of vacating titles at a drop of a hat. When Anthony Joshua was a Unified Champion, he never once vacated any of his World titles'.

There was plenty of time between the first and second Fury vs Uysk fight 'For Oleksandr Uysk to make a mandatory defense of his IBF titles, if he so desired. But instead he decided to voluntary vacate the IBF titles, contrary to certain narratives in the sport? Oleksandr Uysk was not stripped of his IBF titles, he gave them up not all too dissimilar to how Rid**** Bowe vacated his WBC titles back during the 1990's'.

There was more than a 6 month period between Fury vs Uysk I & II 'That was enough time in my opinion, for Uysk to make his mandatory defense of his IBF titles. But reality is? Oleksandr Uysk voluntary chose not to defend his titles, and instead gave them up. Oleksandr Uysk is a great fighter, and solid Heavyweight Champion. But it is those moments that should be marked against his resume'.

So this calling from the WBO for Oleksandr Uysk to defend his title vs Joseph Parker 'Is a pivotal time in the sport. Both for Oleksandr Uysk as a Heavyweight Champion, and the many other boxing promotions in the world'.

Of course there are way bigger commercial fights out there for Oleksandr Uysk 'Trilogy fights against Tyson Fury III, and Anthony Joshua III. But in the arenas of pure competitive sports, those two fighters are contenders now like every other fighter. Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are two of the three Heavyweight Mountains of this era along with Deontay Wilder. But they have both lost their last fights, in the case of Tyson Fury? He has arguable lost his last three fights vs Francis Ngannou and then Oleksandr Uysk I & II twice back to back'.

Tyson Fury's last real genuine win was his trilogy fight vs Derek Chisora III back in December 2022 'I personally regard that fight as his last real win, and it is not even a top level win'.

Both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in my opinion 'Need to get solid comeback wins on their resumes, before challenging once again for a World title'.

To conclude: Oleksandr Uysk has stated that he has ambitions to stage a fight closer to his home country 'Oleksandr Uysk vs Joseph Parker is the level of fight which could achieve that. It is a similar level fight to Daniel Dubois vs Oleksandr Uysk I. Not a mega fight, on the level of Fury or Joshua. But it is still a very big fight'.

Surely if Joseph Parker is involved in a Undisputed title fight 'He will gain masses of support. People should not underestimate the effect the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship would have on the level of the boxing event'.

If Oleksandr Uysk does not fight Joseph Parker 'And decides once again to vacate his world titles. I think Parker will most likely still be involved in a mega fight vs potentially Anthony Joshua II' etc.

[Boxing 112]

Indeed, its their choice not to make the fight. There's nothing stopping another promoter putting it on, especially as it would go to purse bid.

However, everyone involved knows they would get much less money without the saudis. so its essentially saying to Usyk "if you wanna keep making these paydays and not make less money elsewhere, then you're gonna need to vacate that belt"

Just like when they essentially put out a threat to Bivol telling him to remember who gives him those paydays when there was talk of him fighting Benavidez, because they want him to fight Betebiev again...hence Bivol dropping a belt to follow the money.

So there's certainly an element of the Saudis money controlling aspects of the sport, but the responsibility lies with the fighter. Nobody is holding a gun to their head and making them take Saudis money. They're simply being given a choice that's very hard to refuse.

Fans love claiming some fighters are legacy over money. Some fighters also claim it. The reality is not a single fighter is legacy over money. Priority for them will always be getting the biggest paydays or not taking risks that will blow a future bigger bag

[pollywog]

I'd rather Usyk vacate a strap than what Joshua did; hold it to ransom with disingenuous offers, ducks and endless rematches if he lost.

So glad to see the arse end of that dosser.

[TheIronMike]

Parkers loss to AJ still haunting him