Andy Ruiz Jr is definitely still treating himself. Check out the new beast of a Lamborghini SUV he just bought for around $300K. Very nice car. Looks like he's still in party mode, getting in some last minute treats before going to camp. I wish him all the best in training and hope the rematch lives up to the expectations. Should be a good fight.
Andy Ruiz Jr With His New Car
Looks like Andy Ruiz Jr has been on a spending spree. He has bought new cars, a new mansion, and the word on the street is that he has already spent a large majority of the money he earned from the AJ fight. If this is the case, with more material possessions like cars and houses comes more bills, so he needs that rematch money more than ever. His purse is reported to be 9 million dollars, which does seem low considering the rematch will generate well over 60 million. However, contracts are contracts, and Andy Ruiz Jr was more than grateful for the opportunity when he signed to fight AJ the first time.
Now however it seems like he is having second thoughts. A lot of people online are saying money has changed him. He's had a taste of the big time and is now doing everything he can to get more money. In some ways this is just human nature, but in another way it can be seen as plain greed. Either that or perhaps he isn't as confident as he is making out of beating Joshua a second time.
Whatever the reasons, Andy Ruiz Jr signed the contract to fight Joshua. That contract had a rematch clause in place with a set purse (9 million) should he beat Joshua. He won the fight. So now he has to be a man of his word and honor that contract. If he doesn't he will be sued into bankruptcy and will probably have to sell all the nice things he has recently acquired. Furthermore he will lose all the belts as well. Unless there is a loophole somewhere in the contract (very unlikely), he doesn't have a leg to stand on. He either fights or this situation will get very messy.
He is now making excuses about having to fight in Saudi Arabia. Fair enough, it's not a perfect location, but it is neutral for both fighters. At least much more neutral than America, Mexico or the UK. Andy says he is a Mexican warrior and has that Mexican fighting blood in him, but a real champion will fight anywhere in the world, regardless of what race or heritage they are from. I like Andy Ruiz Jr, always have, but he really needs to man up. Stop putting obstacles in the way and just fight. Because he did agree to everything that was in the contract months ago when he signed for the first fight.
Yes, that includes the set-purse for the rematch, and the location being wherever AJ and Eddie Hearn want it to be. All this hesitation and -I'm not fighting unless.. talk could also be the people around Ruiz (Advisers, managers, promoters etc) influencing his thinking and opinions. Who knows. But whatever happens, the fight should be taking place. I believe Ruiz is a better man than to not go through with what he agreed to. And if Ruiz can beat AJ in the rematch he will then be free to do as he pleases.
Now however it seems like he is having second thoughts. A lot of people online are saying money has changed him. He's had a taste of the big time and is now doing everything he can to get more money. In some ways this is just human nature, but in another way it can be seen as plain greed. Either that or perhaps he isn't as confident as he is making out of beating Joshua a second time.
White Rolls Royce Phantom: Andy enjoying the spoils of success. Well deserved.
Whatever the reasons, Andy Ruiz Jr signed the contract to fight Joshua. That contract had a rematch clause in place with a set purse (9 million) should he beat Joshua. He won the fight. So now he has to be a man of his word and honor that contract. If he doesn't he will be sued into bankruptcy and will probably have to sell all the nice things he has recently acquired. Furthermore he will lose all the belts as well. Unless there is a loophole somewhere in the contract (very unlikely), he doesn't have a leg to stand on. He either fights or this situation will get very messy.
He is now making excuses about having to fight in Saudi Arabia. Fair enough, it's not a perfect location, but it is neutral for both fighters. At least much more neutral than America, Mexico or the UK. Andy says he is a Mexican warrior and has that Mexican fighting blood in him, but a real champion will fight anywhere in the world, regardless of what race or heritage they are from. I like Andy Ruiz Jr, always have, but he really needs to man up. Stop putting obstacles in the way and just fight. Because he did agree to everything that was in the contract months ago when he signed for the first fight.
Yes, that includes the set-purse for the rematch, and the location being wherever AJ and Eddie Hearn want it to be. All this hesitation and -I'm not fighting unless.. talk could also be the people around Ruiz (Advisers, managers, promoters etc) influencing his thinking and opinions. Who knows. But whatever happens, the fight should be taking place. I believe Ruiz is a better man than to not go through with what he agreed to. And if Ruiz can beat AJ in the rematch he will then be free to do as he pleases.
AJ Vs Ruiz Rematch Location Confirmed
Quick post. AJ Vs Ruiz Rematch Location Confirmed. Breaking News! The fight is on, and the location for Anthony Joshua Vs Andy Ruiz Jr 2 has been confirmed. And its not what most people were expecting. The rematch is set to take place in Saudi Arabia. And while this is definitely a neutral location for both fighters, the very fact that in the rematch clause I believe the terms stated that the location for the rematch was entirely the decision of AJ and Matchroom, many people think that the rematch should have been held in the UK. Anthony Joshua needs every advantage he can get. Mentally and physically.
In a recent interview AJ said (I'm paraphrasing) he needed the UK fans behind him in order to give him that extra push of desire and energy if / when things get tough in the ring, but with most of his die-hard fans more than likely not willing to travel to Saudi Arabia to be there in person, did AJ just give up a key element he believes he needs in order to come away with the win.. Add to that the heat. I'm not sure how hot Saudi Arabia is in December, but if its extremely hot and humid, does this give Ruiz Jr the advantage due to the fact that he is much more used to the heat being from California. We will see. As if the rematch wasn't going to be one of the biggest fights in many years anyway, with these strange developments, it makes the fight even more interesting.
In a recent interview AJ said (I'm paraphrasing) he needed the UK fans behind him in order to give him that extra push of desire and energy if / when things get tough in the ring, but with most of his die-hard fans more than likely not willing to travel to Saudi Arabia to be there in person, did AJ just give up a key element he believes he needs in order to come away with the win.. Add to that the heat. I'm not sure how hot Saudi Arabia is in December, but if its extremely hot and humid, does this give Ruiz Jr the advantage due to the fact that he is much more used to the heat being from California. We will see. As if the rematch wasn't going to be one of the biggest fights in many years anyway, with these strange developments, it makes the fight even more interesting.
Anthony Joshua "AJ" UK Memorabilia
Anthony Joshua "AJ" UK Memorabilia. Heavyweight powerhouse Anthony Joshua is certainly one of the most talked about boxers at the moment. From humble beginnings, to almost always spreading a positive message, it's not hard to see why he has so many fans. There's a lot to like. And that admiration is not just from people in the UK either. Whether you love him or hate him, think he's genuine or putting on a nice persona to portray a sellable media image, he has fast become the new golden boy of boxing.
As a result, everyone not only wants to see him fight, but they also want to be part of the event by actually being there in attendance at the arena. This is great, and just what boxing needs. However, this translates to tickets selling out extremely fast. If you want to be in attendance at Joshua's next fight, you have to be very quick off the mark where securing tickets is concerned. Either that or you will have to go to the secondary market, such as Stubhub, where the prices will be much higher. I believe his next fight against Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden is close to sold out already. And a lot of those tickets have been sold to travelling Brits
With so much popularity also comes a booming Memorabilia market. Merchandise is also fairly popular, but not when compared to the level at which Gennady Golovkin's is. But hey, right now, with the -rare for boxing- Jordan sponsorship deal that triple G has secured, and with his normal "GGG" merchandise being so nice, there aren't many fighters who are on that level.
As you can imagine, with still so much to come from AJ in 2019 / 2020 and beyond, such as fighting Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder to potentially hold ALL the major Heavyweight titles (What an achievement that will be), fans want to buy up a piece of historic memorabilia in the making. Because really, AJ's career is still in its early stages. The legacy defining fights are yet to come. Even when he first won the IBF title against Charles "I walk this Earth like a God" Martin, he (and his promoter Eddie "Apples and Pears" Hearn) freely admitted that he is still learning on the job.
While it doesn't seem like it now because of how easy Anthony disposed of Martin, it was a huge risk putting AJ in a world title fight so early in his professional career. But it paid off. However, he still has a lot of maturing to do in terms of ring craft and overall experience. The good thing is, he knows this. That's why Tyson Fury wants to fight him sooner rather than later! With so much still to come, and with millions of fans worldwide, Anthony Joshua Memorabilia is in high demand, with the most popular items being, of course, the signed glove (usually sold framed with images), followed by signed shorts and a signed photo.
The great thing about AJ, other than him being a great fighter, is how approachable and fan friendly he is. He understands and truly appreciates when people actually take time out of their day, travel far and wide, just to try to get a glimpse of the champ through the crowd. He is aware that for most fans, actually getting to have an interaction with AJ, such as a hand shake and a picture, or better still, getting something signed, means the world to them. It not only makes their day, but in many cases creates a fan for life.
I've personally seen Anthony Joshua stand in the middle of crowds of fans and literally conform to every request a fan asked of him. He really appreciates the fans, and more importantly, shows it with his actions. Because of this, there is no shortage of Memorabilia out there for sale. He is forever signing gloves and photographs. There's also story's (and video footage) of him doing kind gestures for people who were there for him at the very beginning of his journey into boxing when he was just starting out as an Amateur. So many boxers, who are lucky enough to achieve success, forget where it all started and lose sight of the people who were good to them when they had nothing.
It appears AJ is not blinded by the money and glitz and glamour a celebrity status brings and has kept his feet firmly on the ground and knows who the "Real" people are in his life. And those who should have a share in his success, not the hangers-on and hype men who will be gone as soon as something goes wrong, but the real people who were there when he was just known as Femi. Staying loyal, and remembering who had a hand in moulding you into what you are today, are such good qualities to have. Sadly, these days they are somewhat lacking, and not just in boxing either.
Can you imagine how hard it would be to keep your feet firmly on the ground if you were in AJ's position? Money, fame, hype, people constantly telling you how great you are. It's enough to go to anyone's head and make their ego and opinion of themselves inflated beyond belief. Of course, anyone, even AJ, will be affected in some way by all this attention, money and fame. But in my opinion, AJ has, to this point, handled it all extremely well. He's doing a marvelous job.
And in today's world of social media, and needing to stay politically correct at all times just in case you upset the wrong person or say the something the masses don't agree with (look at what the main stream media did to Tyson Fury), that is a difficult thing to do when everything you say is dissected and perceived by millions of people. The media can decide whether to make or break a person, and it seems as though the media are on AJ's side, so that's a huge bonus as far as image, and even success is concerned.
Whilst being a very fast combination puncher for a heavyweight, and looking mostly unstoppable up to this point in his professional career, we will really see what AJ made of in 2019 / 2020, where he will take on some of the top, in their prime heavyweights, who some people think will provide a much sterner test than most of his previous opponents. With Wladimir Klitschko excluded of course, as that was a terrific, coming of age fight, where Joshua was really tested by the long reigning former unified heavyweight champion of the world.
Next in 2019, the next stop is against late replacement, Andy Ruiz Jr. Many people in Boxing know that Ruiz Jr as a very formidable opponent to take on such late notice. However, most causal boxing fans will judge him on his appearance (he is a heavy set guy) and will expect Joshua to blow him out within 6 rounds.
But don't be fooled by appearances, Andy Ruiz Jr is very tough and has a good boxing IQ. He only has one controversial loss to Joseph Parker, and is an extremely fast puncher. He is a tough nights work for anyone in the division. The clash of styles will be very interesting, and don't be surprised if this fight is similar to when AJ fought Takam, another small heavyweight that Joshua didn't look great against due to the size and style match up . But most people, including myself, think that AJ will beat Ruiz Jr by late stoppage. Hopefully AJ works on his stamina, as that appears to be the one area of concern, most probably due to the sheer amount of muscle / weight he is carrying.
If Joshua can get past Ruiz Jr, it potentially sets up a huge unification fight for all the belts (winner will be the undisputed champion) with the WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who is no doubt the biggest, and wildest one punch knockout danger-man of the division. However, what he has in power is equalled up by his limited level of opposition and questionable chin.
He has been rocked numerous times in the ring against much lesser opponents, and apparently even knocked out cold (twice) by Wladimir Klitschko in sparring, which, rumour has it, is one of the reasons why we never seen a unification / undisputed match between Wilder and Wladimir ever take place. But make no mistake about it, Joshua's chin isn't made of cast Iron either, and while Wilder has been hurt and outboxed in some of his fights against opponents nowhere near the level of Joshua, he does have that one-punch equalizer that can see an opponent who was winning the fight literally wake up in hospital thinking, what year is it. This is the most dangerous fight for AJ. Wilder's unconventional style and raw power makes every exchange a potential fight ender. A very interesting fight.
Then we have the uncrowned champion Tyson Fury. He is still seen as the champion by many people after getting a draw against Wilder after years away from top contention, and is now considered by many as the real champion of the WBC title that Wilder is still holding hostage. Tyson Fury is still basically unbeaten. From a technical boxing perspective, Fury is no doubt the toughest test out there for Anthony Joshua. Fury moves extremely well for such a big guy, has excellent boxing skills, and is much harder to hit than people give him credit for.
If Anthony Joshua can win all the bouts against the fighters mentioned, and win them in style, then takes on some of the up-and-comers and beats them handily, he should be considered as the best heavyweight of this era. To take out the last belt holder, become undisputed, and then go on to beat the man who many consider to be the one with the skills to potentially give you a boxing lesson, would be some achievement. And one that would make all memorabilia owners even more proud of their early signings and purchases. That goes for memorabilia investors and true AJ fans alike. If he stays focused, doesn't get complacent and keeps that "challenger" mindset, I believe he can do it.
As a result, everyone not only wants to see him fight, but they also want to be part of the event by actually being there in attendance at the arena. This is great, and just what boxing needs. However, this translates to tickets selling out extremely fast. If you want to be in attendance at Joshua's next fight, you have to be very quick off the mark where securing tickets is concerned. Either that or you will have to go to the secondary market, such as Stubhub, where the prices will be much higher. I believe his next fight against Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden is close to sold out already. And a lot of those tickets have been sold to travelling Brits
With so much popularity also comes a booming Memorabilia market. Merchandise is also fairly popular, but not when compared to the level at which Gennady Golovkin's is. But hey, right now, with the -rare for boxing- Jordan sponsorship deal that triple G has secured, and with his normal "GGG" merchandise being so nice, there aren't many fighters who are on that level.
The Best Is Yet To Come
As you can imagine, with still so much to come from AJ in 2019 / 2020 and beyond, such as fighting Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder to potentially hold ALL the major Heavyweight titles (What an achievement that will be), fans want to buy up a piece of historic memorabilia in the making. Because really, AJ's career is still in its early stages. The legacy defining fights are yet to come. Even when he first won the IBF title against Charles "I walk this Earth like a God" Martin, he (and his promoter Eddie "Apples and Pears" Hearn) freely admitted that he is still learning on the job.
While it doesn't seem like it now because of how easy Anthony disposed of Martin, it was a huge risk putting AJ in a world title fight so early in his professional career. But it paid off. However, he still has a lot of maturing to do in terms of ring craft and overall experience. The good thing is, he knows this. That's why Tyson Fury wants to fight him sooner rather than later! With so much still to come, and with millions of fans worldwide, Anthony Joshua Memorabilia is in high demand, with the most popular items being, of course, the signed glove (usually sold framed with images), followed by signed shorts and a signed photo.
Putting The Time In
The great thing about AJ, other than him being a great fighter, is how approachable and fan friendly he is. He understands and truly appreciates when people actually take time out of their day, travel far and wide, just to try to get a glimpse of the champ through the crowd. He is aware that for most fans, actually getting to have an interaction with AJ, such as a hand shake and a picture, or better still, getting something signed, means the world to them. It not only makes their day, but in many cases creates a fan for life.
I've personally seen Anthony Joshua stand in the middle of crowds of fans and literally conform to every request a fan asked of him. He really appreciates the fans, and more importantly, shows it with his actions. Because of this, there is no shortage of Memorabilia out there for sale. He is forever signing gloves and photographs. There's also story's (and video footage) of him doing kind gestures for people who were there for him at the very beginning of his journey into boxing when he was just starting out as an Amateur. So many boxers, who are lucky enough to achieve success, forget where it all started and lose sight of the people who were good to them when they had nothing.
Blinded By The Lights
It appears AJ is not blinded by the money and glitz and glamour a celebrity status brings and has kept his feet firmly on the ground and knows who the "Real" people are in his life. And those who should have a share in his success, not the hangers-on and hype men who will be gone as soon as something goes wrong, but the real people who were there when he was just known as Femi. Staying loyal, and remembering who had a hand in moulding you into what you are today, are such good qualities to have. Sadly, these days they are somewhat lacking, and not just in boxing either.
Can you imagine how hard it would be to keep your feet firmly on the ground if you were in AJ's position? Money, fame, hype, people constantly telling you how great you are. It's enough to go to anyone's head and make their ego and opinion of themselves inflated beyond belief. Of course, anyone, even AJ, will be affected in some way by all this attention, money and fame. But in my opinion, AJ has, to this point, handled it all extremely well. He's doing a marvelous job.
And in today's world of social media, and needing to stay politically correct at all times just in case you upset the wrong person or say the something the masses don't agree with (look at what the main stream media did to Tyson Fury), that is a difficult thing to do when everything you say is dissected and perceived by millions of people. The media can decide whether to make or break a person, and it seems as though the media are on AJ's side, so that's a huge bonus as far as image, and even success is concerned.
The Battles Ahead
Whilst being a very fast combination puncher for a heavyweight, and looking mostly unstoppable up to this point in his professional career, we will really see what AJ made of in 2019 / 2020, where he will take on some of the top, in their prime heavyweights, who some people think will provide a much sterner test than most of his previous opponents. With Wladimir Klitschko excluded of course, as that was a terrific, coming of age fight, where Joshua was really tested by the long reigning former unified heavyweight champion of the world.
Next in 2019, the next stop is against late replacement, Andy Ruiz Jr. Many people in Boxing know that Ruiz Jr as a very formidable opponent to take on such late notice. However, most causal boxing fans will judge him on his appearance (he is a heavy set guy) and will expect Joshua to blow him out within 6 rounds.
But don't be fooled by appearances, Andy Ruiz Jr is very tough and has a good boxing IQ. He only has one controversial loss to Joseph Parker, and is an extremely fast puncher. He is a tough nights work for anyone in the division. The clash of styles will be very interesting, and don't be surprised if this fight is similar to when AJ fought Takam, another small heavyweight that Joshua didn't look great against due to the size and style match up . But most people, including myself, think that AJ will beat Ruiz Jr by late stoppage. Hopefully AJ works on his stamina, as that appears to be the one area of concern, most probably due to the sheer amount of muscle / weight he is carrying.
If Joshua can get past Ruiz Jr, it potentially sets up a huge unification fight for all the belts (winner will be the undisputed champion) with the WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who is no doubt the biggest, and wildest one punch knockout danger-man of the division. However, what he has in power is equalled up by his limited level of opposition and questionable chin.
He has been rocked numerous times in the ring against much lesser opponents, and apparently even knocked out cold (twice) by Wladimir Klitschko in sparring, which, rumour has it, is one of the reasons why we never seen a unification / undisputed match between Wilder and Wladimir ever take place. But make no mistake about it, Joshua's chin isn't made of cast Iron either, and while Wilder has been hurt and outboxed in some of his fights against opponents nowhere near the level of Joshua, he does have that one-punch equalizer that can see an opponent who was winning the fight literally wake up in hospital thinking, what year is it. This is the most dangerous fight for AJ. Wilder's unconventional style and raw power makes every exchange a potential fight ender. A very interesting fight.
Then we have the uncrowned champion Tyson Fury. He is still seen as the champion by many people after getting a draw against Wilder after years away from top contention, and is now considered by many as the real champion of the WBC title that Wilder is still holding hostage. Tyson Fury is still basically unbeaten. From a technical boxing perspective, Fury is no doubt the toughest test out there for Anthony Joshua. Fury moves extremely well for such a big guy, has excellent boxing skills, and is much harder to hit than people give him credit for.
If Anthony Joshua can win all the bouts against the fighters mentioned, and win them in style, then takes on some of the up-and-comers and beats them handily, he should be considered as the best heavyweight of this era. To take out the last belt holder, become undisputed, and then go on to beat the man who many consider to be the one with the skills to potentially give you a boxing lesson, would be some achievement. And one that would make all memorabilia owners even more proud of their early signings and purchases. That goes for memorabilia investors and true AJ fans alike. If he stays focused, doesn't get complacent and keeps that "challenger" mindset, I believe he can do it.
Fury Vs Wilder - Cherry Pick?
Tyson Fury Vs Deontay Wilder for the WBC Heavyweight Title. The fight has been announced and is set to take place sometime later this year. The money split is reported to be a clean 50/50 for each fighter, and the location where the fight will take place is more than likely going to be Las Vegas. Can Tyson Fury dethrone the current WBC champion is his own country. The odds are certainly stacked against him. Approximately two years out of the ring, mental health issues, alleged drug use, massive weight gain, 2 comeback fights which were nothing more than light sparring sessions, and no Peter Fury in his corner.
Can you get a worse preparation for taking on the most dangerous fighter in the division, who's been very active. Under such circumstances it's definitely a tough ask. But can we really completely right off this man as having zero chance against Wilder. We would be silly to do so. Because if there's one thing that Tyson Fury still has by the bucket load, other than excellent movement and a great boxing brain, it's self belief. And self belief is one of the most important weapons any boxer can have.
When Tyson fought Wladimir Klitschko, 80% - 90% of the whole world, from boxing fans, commentators and writers, to active / retired boxers, everyone thought he had no chance what so ever. And while it wasn't the most exciting boxing match of all time, he did beat Klitschko in Germany. So he's already done it before. And self belief played a big part in his victory over Wladimir.
However, that was at a time when Tyson was being trained by his uncle, Peter Fury, who is a very hard taskmaster. As difficult as super hard training can be, that's what is needed to beat top-level opposition. Hard training and discipline, no matter how much natural talent a boxer has. A fighter can't live on what they achieved in the past and not train as hard for future fights. They always get found out. It's very doubtful that Tyson is training to the same level of extremity that Peter Fury would have demanded now he is training under his new coach, Ben Davison.
This fight is almost certainly a cherry pick from Wilder. A mismatch. He knows boxing, and he knows that Tyson isn't ready right now. That's why he wants the fight next. Perfect timing. And boxing is all about timing. Sadly, all this hype about the fight being the chance for Wilder to fight the Lineal champion is just that, hype. Deontay Wilder has seen an opportunity to take on someone who's a shadow of their former self, but still has a recognised name, and try to twist it to the boxing casuals like he's fighting the most dangerous man in the division.
Wilder was offered fights against Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua for purses far exceeding anything he has ever made from any fight in his boxing career, yet he turned them down. In fact Dillian "Danger man" Whyte was Wilder's mandatory, and Wilder was offered huge money to sign the contract, but still he wouldn't take the fight. Some people say he is scared of Whyte, and going on his own actions, that conclusion does seem plausible.
Back to the upcoming Fury - Wilder match. Did you know? When Tyson Fury offered to fight Joshua in his first fight back, out of respect, and wanting to fight Fury at his best, Anthony Joshua said: Let's wait until your fighting regularly and back in top form, then we can get it on. Wilder however, does not have the same respect. He sees easy work and has jumped at the chance to take on the weakest, biggest name of the division.
Frank Warren, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have recently made comments relating to how the other fighters, really meaning Anthony Joshua, are cowards for not taking the fight against Wilder. But how is this even a comparable situation. Let's put this into perspective.
Compare this Wilder - Fury 50/50 deal to Anthony Joshua, the real main man of the division at this point in time. He makes over 20 Million Pounds per fight, sells out stadiums, holds all but one of the major heavyweight belts, and has accumulated those belts in half the amount of total fights that Deontay Wilder has had in his whole career. One man has done all the work, while the other has sat back and played it safe.
While Wilder does get some credit for taking his first real risk in 40 fights and winning against Luis Ortiz, that one risk in 40 fights can hardly been seen as Wilder consistently chasing the best names in the division, when really its the only time he has ever faced a solid opponent. Now, if / when he beats Fury, in just one more fight, that's if it can actually be made, he gets the chance to win all the belts. Some may see that as smart, while others will see it for what it is. Cowardly.
Is anyone in their right mind going to give 50/50 to a fighter who has one belt, has only fought one decent opponent in his whole career and almost got stopped in that bout, can't sell out small (in comparison) venues in his own country, and has been milking the title since he won it. Yes, he is dangerous, and does hold a major belt, but with all things considered, does Wilder really deserve half the revenue against AJ. Does he even deserve to fight for all the titles in an undisputed, king of the division unification fight.
The answer is, absolutely not. Furthermore, if Wilder beats Fury, which at this stage of Fury's comeback he should do so quite comfortably, Wilder gets no credit at all. He has dodged everyone except a faded ex-champion who's nowhere near ready to start taking on the title holders. This was confirmed in his comeback fights.
But Wilder will take full advantage of this situation, and at the same time try to make people believe he's taking big risks fighting the "Lineal" champion. Nothing could be further from the truth. Way to go Wilder. Let's hope Fury does it again and achieves what most think is impossible at this stage of his comeback so we can see Wilder in some more "Cherry picking gone wrong" YouTube videos. Only this time he actually loses rather than just getting rocked.
Can you get a worse preparation for taking on the most dangerous fighter in the division, who's been very active. Under such circumstances it's definitely a tough ask. But can we really completely right off this man as having zero chance against Wilder. We would be silly to do so. Because if there's one thing that Tyson Fury still has by the bucket load, other than excellent movement and a great boxing brain, it's self belief. And self belief is one of the most important weapons any boxer can have.
When Tyson fought Wladimir Klitschko, 80% - 90% of the whole world, from boxing fans, commentators and writers, to active / retired boxers, everyone thought he had no chance what so ever. And while it wasn't the most exciting boxing match of all time, he did beat Klitschko in Germany. So he's already done it before. And self belief played a big part in his victory over Wladimir.
However, that was at a time when Tyson was being trained by his uncle, Peter Fury, who is a very hard taskmaster. As difficult as super hard training can be, that's what is needed to beat top-level opposition. Hard training and discipline, no matter how much natural talent a boxer has. A fighter can't live on what they achieved in the past and not train as hard for future fights. They always get found out. It's very doubtful that Tyson is training to the same level of extremity that Peter Fury would have demanded now he is training under his new coach, Ben Davison.
Tyson Fury Vs Wilder - Even Fight or Cherry Pick
Wilder was offered fights against Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua for purses far exceeding anything he has ever made from any fight in his boxing career, yet he turned them down. In fact Dillian "Danger man" Whyte was Wilder's mandatory, and Wilder was offered huge money to sign the contract, but still he wouldn't take the fight. Some people say he is scared of Whyte, and going on his own actions, that conclusion does seem plausible.
Back to the upcoming Fury - Wilder match. Did you know? When Tyson Fury offered to fight Joshua in his first fight back, out of respect, and wanting to fight Fury at his best, Anthony Joshua said: Let's wait until your fighting regularly and back in top form, then we can get it on. Wilder however, does not have the same respect. He sees easy work and has jumped at the chance to take on the weakest, biggest name of the division.
Frank Warren, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have recently made comments relating to how the other fighters, really meaning Anthony Joshua, are cowards for not taking the fight against Wilder. But how is this even a comparable situation. Let's put this into perspective.
The Gypsy King: Raising with no cards in his hand
Tyson Fury, a man who's coming off a 2 - 3 year lay off, with no titles, and in less than impressive form on his comeback trail, gets the opportunity to fight for the WBC title on his third fight back, and gets offered a 50/50 split. Well, he's done well for a man who basically had nothing but a name and a mouth to bargain with. Frank Warren would have the public believe that whoever wins this fight is the best heavyweight in the world. Truth is, he's just trying to sell the fight. He is a boxing promoter after all, looking for the best return on his investment. With the Wilder fight, he has hit the jackpot.
Compare this Wilder - Fury 50/50 deal to Anthony Joshua, the real main man of the division at this point in time. He makes over 20 Million Pounds per fight, sells out stadiums, holds all but one of the major heavyweight belts, and has accumulated those belts in half the amount of total fights that Deontay Wilder has had in his whole career. One man has done all the work, while the other has sat back and played it safe.
While Wilder does get some credit for taking his first real risk in 40 fights and winning against Luis Ortiz, that one risk in 40 fights can hardly been seen as Wilder consistently chasing the best names in the division, when really its the only time he has ever faced a solid opponent. Now, if / when he beats Fury, in just one more fight, that's if it can actually be made, he gets the chance to win all the belts. Some may see that as smart, while others will see it for what it is. Cowardly.
Is anyone in their right mind going to give 50/50 to a fighter who has one belt, has only fought one decent opponent in his whole career and almost got stopped in that bout, can't sell out small (in comparison) venues in his own country, and has been milking the title since he won it. Yes, he is dangerous, and does hold a major belt, but with all things considered, does Wilder really deserve half the revenue against AJ. Does he even deserve to fight for all the titles in an undisputed, king of the division unification fight.
The answer is, absolutely not. Furthermore, if Wilder beats Fury, which at this stage of Fury's comeback he should do so quite comfortably, Wilder gets no credit at all. He has dodged everyone except a faded ex-champion who's nowhere near ready to start taking on the title holders. This was confirmed in his comeback fights.
But Wilder will take full advantage of this situation, and at the same time try to make people believe he's taking big risks fighting the "Lineal" champion. Nothing could be further from the truth. Way to go Wilder. Let's hope Fury does it again and achieves what most think is impossible at this stage of his comeback so we can see Wilder in some more "Cherry picking gone wrong" YouTube videos. Only this time he actually loses rather than just getting rocked.
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