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I have been among the most vocal of critics of Anthony Joshua for avoiding what I thought were good fights.
I still think the reason AJ has not fought Ortiz or Wilder and now Fury is largely a result of Hearn not wanting those fights and AJ allowing his promoter to dictate as such.
But, this latest?
This latest is not on AJ (or Hearn for that matter) and is actually a very good move.
Wilder or Fury will not be available. They are fighting each other again in a fight that may be just as lucrative or more lucrative as a Wembley fight with AJ.
That isn't really AJ's fault (at least not directly)...or Fury's or Deontay's. If it's anyone's fault, it's Hearn's (for creating the conditions that made the Wilder vs Fury fight a viable alternative).
Luis Ortiz isn't available either. He is fighting next month and it might be asking too much of a 39 year old to turn around in less than 3 months- the last time he fought 2 fights within 3 months time was 2015. Besides, there is a history of pretty bad blood between Ortiz and both Matchroom heavies, with Ortiz accusing both of avoiding him.
No one really wants to see a Whyte rematch either. And, a second win does nothing for AJ except further line his pockets...but a one-sided or quick outcome in an April Wembley Whyte rematch that was overhyped might do more harm than good to AJ's bottom line. Yes, it would be another boatload of money for AJ, but a shyt fight would be the thing that could very well kill the golden goose, so why risk that?
No, the Miller fight is the right call for here and now, for this particular set of circumstances. It introduces him to an American audience up close and personal, and gives him the chance to really state his case for being a draw internationally, and not just in Britain.
I know folks want to point out how AJ should have made his American debut in what is still probably the biggest fight that can be made in the sport, but folks need to also recognize that
a) The Wilder fight was never going to be realistic for the first part of 2019 as soon as the Fury fight was a draw and,
b) It's probably better this way because a decent showing against Miller (who is very credible as an opponent) will go a long way towards making a Wilder vs AJ showdown even bigger.
These next two fights might serve as an unofficial semi-final with (hopefully) AJ and Wilder emerging victorious to set up the Mega fight in the Fall of 2019.
And btw, while I fully expect AJ to beat Miller, this is no gimme fight for AJ.
There is a scenario by which Big Baby could win, but he'd have to be very clever and disciplined about it...that, and avoid the worst of AJ's bombs for 12 rounds.
Possible? Yes. Probable? No.
Credit to AJ and Hearn for making the best out of a bad situation...even if it was likely Hearn's lowball tactics that were at least partly responsible for making this necessary in the first place.
I still think the reason AJ has not fought Ortiz or Wilder and now Fury is largely a result of Hearn not wanting those fights and AJ allowing his promoter to dictate as such.
But, this latest?
This latest is not on AJ (or Hearn for that matter) and is actually a very good move.
Wilder or Fury will not be available. They are fighting each other again in a fight that may be just as lucrative or more lucrative as a Wembley fight with AJ.
That isn't really AJ's fault (at least not directly)...or Fury's or Deontay's. If it's anyone's fault, it's Hearn's (for creating the conditions that made the Wilder vs Fury fight a viable alternative).
Luis Ortiz isn't available either. He is fighting next month and it might be asking too much of a 39 year old to turn around in less than 3 months- the last time he fought 2 fights within 3 months time was 2015. Besides, there is a history of pretty bad blood between Ortiz and both Matchroom heavies, with Ortiz accusing both of avoiding him.
No one really wants to see a Whyte rematch either. And, a second win does nothing for AJ except further line his pockets...but a one-sided or quick outcome in an April Wembley Whyte rematch that was overhyped might do more harm than good to AJ's bottom line. Yes, it would be another boatload of money for AJ, but a shyt fight would be the thing that could very well kill the golden goose, so why risk that?
No, the Miller fight is the right call for here and now, for this particular set of circumstances. It introduces him to an American audience up close and personal, and gives him the chance to really state his case for being a draw internationally, and not just in Britain.
I know folks want to point out how AJ should have made his American debut in what is still probably the biggest fight that can be made in the sport, but folks need to also recognize that
a) The Wilder fight was never going to be realistic for the first part of 2019 as soon as the Fury fight was a draw and,
b) It's probably better this way because a decent showing against Miller (who is very credible as an opponent) will go a long way towards making a Wilder vs AJ showdown even bigger.
These next two fights might serve as an unofficial semi-final with (hopefully) AJ and Wilder emerging victorious to set up the Mega fight in the Fall of 2019.
And btw, while I fully expect AJ to beat Miller, this is no gimme fight for AJ.
There is a scenario by which Big Baby could win, but he'd have to be very clever and disciplined about it...that, and avoid the worst of AJ's bombs for 12 rounds.
Possible? Yes. Probable? No.
Credit to AJ and Hearn for making the best out of a bad situation...even if it was likely Hearn's lowball tactics that were at least partly responsible for making this necessary in the first place.
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