Friday 27 April 2018

Whyte... Disappointed with the WBC over snubbed Mandatory status.


WBC Silver Heavyweight Champion Dillian Whyte (23-1, 17 KOs) was under the distinct impression that he was heading towards a mandatory world title shot against Deontay Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) following last months impressive knockout of the undefeated Lucas Browne..
However Whyte found himself shuffled along in the queue several days ago as the WBC revealed that their mandatory status had been awarded to former IBF challenger Dominick Breazeale..
Despite maintaining his number one ranking, and even winning the WBC silver title, Whyte has now been ordered to fight Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz, who himself has just come off an unsuccessful WBC title shot..
Breazeale’s victory over Eric Molina was initially announced as a title eliminator yet was more recently switched to final eliminator status by the governing body. The peculiar thing about that is, had Molina beaten Breazeale, he would have been awarded a third successive shot at the world heavyweight championship, whilst Whyte is still standing in line for his first..
Whyte boxes in July with no immediate opponent named as of yet, but made a very valid claim when he asked why the WBC didn’t just order him to box Breazeale in the eliminator, killing two birds with one stone..
If negotiations between Wilder and Joshua aren’t met soon, it looks like Breazeale will fight Wilder next, leaving Whyte in limbo as far as his immediate future is concerned..

"I've fought for every single belt the WBC said I was eligible for. I'm one of the only guys in the WBC who has followed the proper procedure. I fought many eliminators, and many WBC ranking fights. I've been loyal to the WBC for about two years," Said Whyte..

"I've had the sanctioning fights, I've done everything they have asked me to do. My information was - I was meant to be next in line. If anything, the WBC should be ordering me and Breazeale to fight in a final eliminator to face Wilder.

"I've had loads of WBC fights and they've always been against top contenders. Chisora, Helenius, Browne. These haven't been against mugs, they have been against top contenders, who are highly ranked in the WBC as well. We're going to try and see what we can do, and see whether or not we can reach some sort of agreement with the WBC. I'm very, very disappointed and annoyed. I feel betrayed by the WBC to be honest."

Whyte is justified in feeling betrayed.. Breazeale hasn’t maintained a winning streak at a level equalling Whyte’s and Molina didn’t belong in a position to justify a third title shot.. Whyte has an option to box in the IBFs mandatory elimination bout against Kubrat Pulev in an attempt to circumvent the process and shoot for the holder in that body (Joshua) or sit and wait it out until Wilder or whoever decides he’s worthy of the shot..
Dillian most probably won’t depose Wilder or Joshua in an attempt for the title, but he’s deserving, hungry and very determined, spelling a tough night for anyone.. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in Whyte’s game, he’s more patient, much more crafty and operates like a true professional today, leaving nothing to chance.. I hope a decent opportunity presents itself very soon for the Brixton man, he’s definitely earned it..

Weights from Matchroom boxing, Brooklyn show.


Weights from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Daniel Jacobs 159 vs Maciej Sulecki 159
(WBA middleweight title eliminator)

Jarrell Miller 304 vs Johann Duhaupas 244

Katie Taylor 134 vs Victoria Noelia Bustos 134
(WBA/IBF female lightweight unification)

Daniyar Yeleussinov 150 vs Noah Kidd 150
Shohjahon Ergashev 139 vs Zhimin Wang 139
Nikolay Buzolin 143 vs Larry Fryars 140
Julian Sosa 142 vs Larry Ventus 144
Dimash Niyazov 138 vs Angel Sarinana 138

Hosted by The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
Promoted by Eddie Hearn and Matchroom in association with Salita Promotions

Broadcast by HBO in the US.. and Sky Sports in Europe.

$50 Million offer to AJ.. Wilder “Anthony, the money is in the bag.”


Wednesday, WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder sent his long awaited counter offer to Eddie Hearns prior £12 Million proposal to make the Anthony Joshua unification fight materialise..

Deontay, in a Video message Started by addressing AJ, Mate! “I sent this personally this time just so there’s no miscommunication. Tell Eddie Hearn to let you personally check his email this time. BTW I sent your manager Rob McCracken the email as well. I’m looking forward to our meeting in the ring.”

Hearn and McCracken revealed yesterday that the message assured all concerned that $50 has been guaranteed to Joshua with a higher percentage assured if the fight grosses over $100 Million..

Hearn and Shelly Finkel were due to start more formal negotiations for the proposed fight over this coming weekend whilst Hearn was in New York for the Danny Jacobs card on Saturday..
Allegedly the $50 Million offer has a 24 hour deadline attached to it, which appears rather unrealistic when you consider the complexities of such a promotion..
PR stunt or not, the news has attracted huge attention and all involved on the Wilder side of things assure Joshua and his team that it is 100% legitimate..

If Hearn submits to the offer on Finkel and Wilders terms, it could mean the proposed fight would most likely head Stateside, restraining Hearns stranglehold on the promotional trappings..

Sunday 1 April 2018

Anthony Joshua unifies four of the recognised heavyweight titles in Cardiff.


In the Main Event in Cardiff tonight, Anthony Joshua 20-0 (20 Ko's) unified four of the five recognised heavyweight championship belts with a unanimous decision over former WBO champion Joseph Parker 24-0 (18 Ko's) in front of 80,000 paying fans at the City's Principality Stadium..  Parker stood by his word and fought with effective aggression through most of the fight, but found himself second best to the composed, clinical Londoner, who controlled the tempo of the fight with calculated tactics..  Parker attempted numerous times to fight in close but was prevented by some horrendous refereeing by Giuseppe Quartarone, who regardless of the fighters willingness to trade, continually broke up the fluid action..  Joshua began to push Joseph onto the back foot in the middle of the fight, a position the New Zealander is rarely forced to adopt, yet didn't rush in or overcommit in a performance that remains one of the most controlled I've seen from Joshua throughout his whole career..   Parker was competitive until the final bell but hadn't done enough to steal the spoils on the night..  The fight wasn't the most attractive to witness, with very few clean punches landing throughout its entirety, but the importance of the victory made the event extra special..

Joshua won by scores of  118-110...   118-110...   119-109...

Following the bout Anthony made it clear that his intentions are to completely unify, stressing that Wilder is whom he would prefer to fight next..  Eddie Hearn however expressed concerns that the WBC champion truly doesn't want the fight and has never ever once initiated negotiations with Matchroom or Joshua to discuss a unification meeting between the two..  Anthony Joshua is now universally recognised as the IBF.. WBA.. WBO and IBO World heavyweight Champion..   If Deontay Wilder had solid intentions on trying to make this epic match happen, he would have made the effort to at least attend the bout in a business capacity to break bread with those capable of making it happen..