Comments Thread For: Joshua vs. Usyk Could Very Well Happen in 2019, Says Hearn

[champion4ever]

We are 100% in agreement. Which is why I said “who moves up and turns down a title shot?” If I’m Eddie I’m already saving up for a big step aside package, because Usyk is the type of fighter that will come take all of Joshua’s belts with no interest on television.

No doubt! He'll definitely take him to the cleaners alright.
However, I've heard Eddie has several options on his next few fights. In addition, I've heard that he has recently signed a contract with Matchroom Boxing, in order to secure the Tony Bellew fight.

[Citizen Koba]

No, Dillian Whyte is currently ranked highest on the priority list of mandatory challengers for Anthony Joshua. He is next in line for Anthony Joshua's April 13 WBO title defense. Right now he is at the top of the pecking order until Usyk decides to move up and stake his claim to the WBO title because at the moment he is yet still contending as their Super Cruiserweight champion.

However, I agree with you about the sanctioning bodies. You are right. Promoters like Eddie Hearn, wields a lot of power and influence over them, given all the money he has to throw around. So it wouldn't surprise me in the least bit, if the WBO were to have a change of heart regarding Oleksandr Usyk's Super champion status.

Well I said Whyte because he is currently WBO#1 and he also fights for Hearn... I'm not sure Eddie wants Whyte to fight Joshua again just yet so maybe put Whyte in with Usyk as a build up (maybe even on the next Joshua card as an under or a co- ). If Usyk wins he's seen as a legit HW contender and gets more exposure to the UK public, if Whyte wins the Joshua rematch gets bigger. Looks like a win - win for Eddie. Whyte's fighting in coupla weeks too, so a date anytime in the first half of 2019 would be doable for both. It's just one of many plausible scenarios, though, and honestly pure speculation.

[champion4ever]

Well I said Whyte because he is currently #1 and he also fights for Hearn... I'm not sure Eddie wants Whyte to fight Joshua again just yet so maybe put Whyte in with Usyk as a build up (maybe even on the next Joshua card as an under or a co- ). Whyte's fighting in coupla weeks too, so a date anytime in the first half of 2016 would be doable for both. It's just one of many plausible scenarios, though, and honestly pure speculation.

So where does that leave Joshua if you take Whyte away from him? On April 13 that will leave AJ without dance partner unless Hearn can persuade Wilder to fight him on that date.

[Citizen Koba]

So where does that leave Joshua if you take Whyte away from him? On April 13 that will leave AJ without dance partner unless Hearn can persuade Wilder to fight him on that date.

I'm sure Hearn can dig up someone if that's what it comes down to. He's got the luxury of being able to pretty much take his pick given the money on offer. I'd imagine By-By would be a front runner, solid enough but hardly too much of a danger. Once again though, pure speculation so it's probably not worth delving too much into the what if's until we got something a bit more solid to chew on.

[Ray*]

Miller & Whyte ? But he definitely needs to fight a tall HW to prepare for Joshua. Someone like Breazeale.

Good shout, Miller would definitely be my prefer choice just because he might not have the power to stop usyk.

[PotentialToast]

That's not entirely accurate. There will be lawsuit after lawsuit if Usyk just so happen to try and cut in line of all the rest of Anthony Joshua's mandatory challengers.

After the WBO mandatory then there is the IBF mandatory vs Kubrat Pulev. Then at the beginning of 2020 at the earliest will be the IBF's mandatory vs Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller.

Then, if the Usyk bout ever takes place it will have to occur at the earliest of late 2020.

If Usyk is still WBO super champion Sunday, he can ask the WBO to elevate him to AJs Heavyweight mandatory. And it is the WBO next.

[_Rexy_]

No doubt! He'll definitely take him to the cleaners alright.
However, I've heard Eddie has several options on his next few fights. In addition, I've heard that he has recently signed a contract with Matchroom Boxing, in order to secure the Tony Bellew fight.

How many fights is the deal? I can see Eddie giving Usyk 3 straight gatekeepers with Bellew, Chisora & Whyte

[champion4ever]

If Usyk is still WBO super champion Sunday, he can ask the WBO to elevate him to AJs Heavyweight mandatory. And it is the WBO next.

Perhaps, we'll just have to wait and see.

[champion4ever]

How many fights is the deal? I can see Eddie giving Usyk 3 straight gatekeepers with Bellew, Chisora & Whyte

Yeah that sound about right. The average option is for about three fights anyway.

[NEETzsche]

If Joshua can't get Wilder or Fury then I'd like to see him fight three times in 2019 with Usyk being the sort of "final boss" of the year. Whyte, Pulev and Usyk would be a strong run of fights even though we'd all be disappointed by no unification