By Shaun Murphy-
Eddie Hearns is mistaken when he says fans should appreciate Anthony Joshua for taking on the challenge of facing Olegsander Usyk.
Hearns (pictured) has wrongly criticised critics for focusing too much on the negative consequences of what could potentially happen with a loss, instead of focusing on all the glory and credit they should be receiving for being willing to take these sort of risks.
The promoter says his fighter, Anthony Joshua, has been over criticised for not vacating the IBF belt which Usyk was a mandatory contender to claim.
“You guys have got to start thinking about appreciating people who are doing what you want them to do — not taking the easy route out,” Hearn said. “You know how many people said to me when AJ lost to Usyk, ‘Oh, he shouldn’t fight Usyk, bad style (for him).’ And then everyone says ‘AJ should have never fought Usyk in the first place, he should’ve vacated his belt.’
“What about paying credit to these people for taking the challenge? Come on, guys. Your mentality is all wrong. ‘What if this happens, if they lose that’s the end.’ What about if they win?!
“What if Anthony Joshua wins in a couple of weeks against Oleksandr Usyk? Could be fighting for the undisputed championship. Take the gamble, take the risk.”
The reality is that Joshua actually tried to swerve Usyk by arranging for a multi-million pound unification fight with Tyson Fury, but that all changed when Deontey Wilder won an a legal decision by an arbitrator which forced Tyson Fury to cancel his planned fight with Joshua, and face Wilder, in what turned out to be a great fight.
Joshua was then forced to face Usyk, where his tedious safety first approach led to an embarrassing schooling by Olegsander Usyk. Joshua taking the rematch is not equal to him taking a risk, because he has no choice but to try and regain his title.
Olegsander Usyk beats Anthony Joshua Image:skysports.com
Most boxing fans agree that had Tyson Fury and Joshua had met for the unified title, the fight would have been a one sided domination by Tyson Fury, with Joshua earning big money he wouldn’t have deserved.
The rematch with Usyk gives him Joshua the chance to prepare much better for Fury after Usyk by putting up the performance of his life in getting his title back, then taking that new mentality to Fury.
Joshua will most likely need two successful fights with a new mentality, before he is ready for an unbeaten world heavyweight champion like Tyson Fury.