USYK’S A LOT BETTER THAN TYSON FURY! 🔥 | EP71 | talkBOXING with Spencer Oliver & George Groves

00:00 – Introduction
00:58 – Carl Froch v George Groves 3?!
07:56 – What’s Next For Anthony Joshua?/Heavyweight Landscape
31:30 – Reaction to Chris Eubank JR Statement?
36:51 – Any Other Business

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yeah I still think usyk beats him I
think that’s that’s him picking I’m not
going for a world title for less money
I’ll go for the money and he’s sitting
around waiting for for a Conor Ben fight
he’s not having a bad night here he
looks a shell of his former self would
he beat usk I’m not I don’t think so I
think usyk just might have his number I
don’t think eubank’s chasing titles you
know I I don’t think that’s what he
wants chasing chasing money
[Music]
welcome to to boxing this is episode
number 71 now in the absence of Simon
Jordan we have Mr George Groves George
how are you doing I’m good I’ve done
have pressures on now if I’m replacing
Absolut Simon Jordan but uh I hopefully
we’ll be able to live up to his uh
fantastic ways well listen we know he’s
a little bit controversial you’re in the
chair mate there big shoes to F but I’m
sure you do that now George I want to
kick this off by starting with the show
that you’ve got coming up froch versus
Groves fre tell us a little bit about
that what is it do we see you both back
in the ring again or are we on the stage
yeah well we’re on the stage of course
yeah thank you very much for asking uh
frch grov 3 uh or really just a look
back at franch grov 2 so uh we’re 10
years on now believe it or not from that
uh that fight at webbley stadium so yeah
we’re getting together we’re at the
shepherd’s Bush Empire on the 22nd of
May so we’ll be up on the stage there’ll
be big screens there to watch the
buildup uh some of the the shenanigans
that went on there to help promote the
fight which ultimately was uh at the
time the biggest biggest fight in
British boxing so um a landmark occasion
for us we watch a bit of the fight
hopefully the power goes before the the
final punch lands and um everyone in
there has has a great time and if
obviously it’s always like a Q&A at the
end so anyone who’s sitting there who’s
had a burning question maybe for 10
years now shoot their hand up and ask I
mean there’s there still an appetite for
you two isn’t there I mean it’s one of
those relationships you know there was a
lot of hatred is probably a strong world
but a lot of dislike between you two I
remember it I remember the build up
remember you coming into Sky and the
ringside shows and whatnot and like you
know there there was a lot of that but
it in a mad turnaround after that first
fight at Manchester you know the
controversy that surrounded that how is
that by the way with you like how did
you digest that like have you ever got
over that that first fight and the way
that that went in the controversy around
that maybe the Prem stoppage how Foster
there got a lot of got a lot of stick
for that you know it was a fight I
thought would stop too soon if I’m
totally honest you know Cole looked like
he was coming back into it but how do
you deal with that person now are you
over that now who knows I don’t want to
maybe just sleep does he pop into your
mind or anything well we did like we it
was 10 obviously 10 years on from that
first fight uh at the end of last year
so um yeah we was it resurfaced we we
had a little this and it does it cuts
pretty deep I think uh I’m sure I would
have never have got over the the Rivalry
refr the the the outcome of of both
fights if i’ had never gone on to sort
of capture a world title myself um which
put to bed a lot of it and I don’t think
he put to bed the Rivalry there and then
know FR says that he was happy for me
and he start me clap it took a few years
on from there for us to sort of end up
working together breaking the ice and
then since then um he’s probably the
most regular person I see within the
industry how of everyone else we got a
great relationship now we get on really
well we um we own it as such and you
know we we own our shortcomings as he’s
had a few I’ve had a few so uh it builds
for for a really interesting um listen
for a lot of people and it’s it’s
fascinating but obviously some people
who are maybe uh Cobra fans to the death
or maybe saan fans to the death they’re
the ones that they sit on easy when they
see us laughing and joking but as a
whole most most people that’s kind of
what they want Spencer don’t they they
want you to go in there and you know
maybe even hate each other before the
fight but then have that respect and
afterwards if you can get on even better
it’s crazy in it because it is the
ultimate gladiatorial Sport and what
people don’t recognize about boxers and
when you go into it and when you know
the aftermath of fighting when you both
retired and whatnot is only you two have
shared that moment and that’s the that’s
the beauty about it and I think that’s
where you gain the respect for your
opponent you go like only that you know
that moment you two both went through
where it’s that like say that
gladiatorial thing you go like only you
two know that moment share that moment I
think that that’s the connection after
boxing’s done in it I mean look
financially we both ear really well from
me you boxing back to stadiums as well
which was a massive thing transformed
the sport in many ways because of that
rivalry and you look at it now what you
both achieved and whatnot and you look
at that and you go like I I can totally
understand that you go now you’re
working together you you’ve now become
friends you know friends from from
enemies and you look at that and you go
but I get that because you only you two
shared that moment and that was a huge
moment yeah what you you you’re a former
fire Spencer you’re a champion like you
understand it and you’ve lived and
you’ve lived and breathed it and we as
exf Fighters now we have to find our
ourselves in the sort of the civvy world
and this sort of landscape and you know
I’m following your footsteps trying to
get involved in the broadcasting so I
get my boxing fixed by being ringside
and calling the shots and calling the
fights and yeah you know sometimes you
think about it and we’re Fighters first
and foremost and we always will be and
hopefully you know the young kids out
there who get attracted to boxing they
don’t want to be the managers the
promoters or the the MC’s they want to
dream about becoming the fighters they
want to be the anony joshuas they want
to be the Tyson Furies they want to be
the canelos of this world uh we got to
keep keep that keep that dream alive we
we you know we can give we can talk to
fighters on a slightly different um
level than a lot of others because we’ve
been there we’ve been there yeah
absolutely I think that really is
important and I think it’s good to have
know people like yourself still wanting
to stay involved in it with the
broadcasting side and whatnot and you
know the thing that you you and fr are
doing there’s an appetite there 20 shows
up and down the country you know you
filled those out now we’re doing
something slightly different which is a
stage show right yeah so this one’s a
stage show uh say this one we’ll have
the the screens in we be watching her
build up but this will be a bit of fun
spenc how you put up with him though how
you going to put up with him you know ra
him in so yeah we’re on a tight we got a
lot to get through this night and we not
letting F talk about
anything anything that started the
second before the end of the first fight
is off not happening CU we got um we got
a lovely little two-piece band at the
back um Katie with Juan we got Dave
Simpson who’s a Tik Tok sensation he’s
up there doing some tricks on the speed
so we got a lot it’s like a variety act
if you will that’s going to be fun fun
fun that’s that’s what ultimately we are
now uh is hopefully two characters so we
can uh yeah bring some entertainment
look tell us where we can get tickets or
where people can get tickets and we’ll
put it in the description below I mean
you know give the people when is it
where is it you know how do they get the
tickets so we’re taking on the shephers
bush Empire you know iconic venue West
Landon not a million miles from where I
grew up and definitely not a million
miles from where my amateur Club was um
22nd of May Wednesday 22nd second of May
so just post of the the massive
heavyweight Clash usk uh against Tyson
Fury which we’re going to talk about in
a bit and um yeah so if you want your
tickets then just get online the they’re
on Ticket Master they’re on the Empire
just Google grovr Live it’ll come up
straight away get yourself find out
where you want to be get there and um
come meet us and uh yeah check some
laughs fantastic well let’s get on with
the show Anthony Joshua we’re going to
talk about the heavy weights you know
that landscape of the heavyweights how
it sits where it sits who fights Anthony
Joshua September’s you know the rumor
date for Anthony back at Wembley Stadium
which is great for for the British fans
Andy Joshua done an interview with talk
sport this week by the way guys you can
get that interview if you go to the if
you go on to the channel you can listen
back to that interview it was a
fascinating interview th of you saw it
George but you know full of good spirits
High Spirits Anthony Joshua was I mean
he’s I think he’s in a good good place
mentally right now you know a happy
fighter is a dangerous fighter we saw
against zanu you know he put in a
performance it was quite ruthless a
little bit of the Anthony Joshua of old
and has installed a lot of confidence in
him but he was there and he was too you
know he had plenty to talk about in this
interview and he was talking about the
other heavyweights you know he talked
about usyk he talked about Fury he talks
about usyk beating Fury I mean what do
where do you stand on that what do you
think I know you was quite strong on
that as well I think that you went usyk
as well didn’t you yeah I I picked usyk
usyk to be beat Fury um I remember when
usk first moved up to heavyweight I say
he a dark horse don’t write this guy off
you know we’ve seen Cruiser wakes move
up to heavyweight and and dominate in
previous previous years and it did seem
a bit unfathomable for for a lot of
people that he’s never going to compete
with the Anthony joshuas or people
aren’t even really talking about Tyson
Fury I don’t think quite at the time or
maybe he just sort of burst back on the
scene beating Wilder but um yeah I still
think usk beats him I think you know the
argument is that a good big and beats a
good Litt but I think US is an
exceptional fight I think in terms of
their their boxing ability like usk is a
lot better you know his feet are a lot
sharper he’s a he’s got Fury’s got a lot
of boxing knowhow and a lot of he’s he’s
got great boxing IQ and obviously he’s
got that size that he’s always used to
his Advantage but I think may maybe Time
s caught up with him a little bit you
know and it’s not all off the base of
his last fight against Inu where he was
awful but he certainly was underprepared
he looks in much better shape now um he
looks fitter he looks like he’s zoned in
for this fight he knows what what’s at
stake and maybe you know the the cup uh
might help him a little bit more than it
helps usyk obviously it felt like Fury
needs as much time as possible to
prepare for usyk he’s got as much time
as possible and usyk might be around
twiddling his fums thinking I’ve got to
somehow get in the mind frame of this is
the biggest fight of my career but is it
actually going to happen because that
was the question Mar is it going to
happen might a wake up call when the the
Francis and garu fight you looked at
that and you go wow is the fight are the
cracks starting to appear is the fight
leaving Tyson Fury or was it the fact
that there was no fear factor and you
could visibly see that maybe he hadn’t
trained to the best of his ability and
he thought it was going to be easier
than it was but that leaves the massive
question mark doesn’t it hanging over it
and that’s why I mean for me I still
think Fury wins the fight I think that
he he knows what he’s going into and I
think he’ll have enough there cuz I
think size will matter in this fight a
lot Fury’s got a great boxing IQ as well
which is which is maybe the difference
you know going to but it does it does
leave it open because of that last
performance and you’re only as good as
your last fight and against Inu he
didn’t look good at all and you just
like see leaves that huge question mark
over there but it’s fascinating Now
isn’t it with with these heavyweights
you know Joshua talking about him
thinking you know his experience with
Alexander usk he thinks that usk maybe
wins the fight against Fury as well but
we’ve got like June the 1st we’ve got
that you know we got Fury usyk obviously
on the on May the 18
the rematch is in place so that may
happen again that leaves them two tied
up you got June the 1st you’ve got
Philip hergovich going in against Daniel
D that could possibly be for the vacant
ibf title if that becomes vacated you
got those two going in you got zeli Zang
versus Deontay Wilder now what was your
thoughts let’s let’s get into Deontay
Wilder first we’ll break these fights
down but Deontay Wilder what was your
thoughts on his last performance um you
know he looked a shell of his former
self didn’t he yeah against Joseph pck
and Deontay Wilder for throughout his
career you know there’s always been that
that yearn for me just I think you’ve
got it but you’re not showing it you’re
not showing it you know at times he’s
just he hasn’t been able to let his
hands go um and he’s got out of trouble
with that equalizer punch he’s got that
equalizer right hand but I want to see
it be set up I want him to threaten off
the front foot a little bit more and I
think Joseph Parker to his credit um had
no fear he he certain he’s a chap who
has no fear and he took the fight to
Wilder and and bullied him and he beat
him he looked terrible didn’t he Wilder
like as in like you know when you look
at a fighter George and we all know like
straight away you’re looking at and you
go he’s not having a bad night here he
looks a shell of his former self and
he’s at that age now he’s had a long
career what was he 39 40 years of age
been around a long long time you know
and you just looked at him you go the
fight just seemed to have left him and I
go I’m not sure he can he can get that
back you know talking about motivation
with Tyson Fury and whatnot and you look
at him you go was he just demotivated or
has the fight just left him and for me I
just thought that I I just thought that
he looked like a shot fighter yeah I
think you know this this this emergence
of of boxing in Saudi Arabia you
know there was talk the way that he was
talking before that last fight Wilder it
was like when you’ve been you’ve already
been paid and as a fighter that’s kind
of dangerous like when you’ve already
been paid or you know there’s big money
and there’s no real risk element there
it’s like you lose you go again um it
does take that that that edge off
because it you got a security blanket
there and at his stage of his career as
you say Spencer he’s had the the three
tough fights against Fury you know he
the last one in particular he would have
prepared the best that he prepared for
um much better than the second one he
gave a good account of himself he he
dropped Fury and ultimately he got
stopped that might have been the end of
of Wilder there um you look at trilogies
you remember like when rck Bo and aanda
Holyfield when there had that trilogy I
don’t think they were both both of them
I think that they were never the same
fighter again it was the the the
brutality of all those fights that was a
little bit like that weren’t it with
Deontay wild and Tyson Fury they both
went through a lot there and you go like
you know looking at Fury now in that
last performance looking at Deontay
Wilder his last performance you go are
the effects starting to show now yeah
well Wilder like pre Fury how long ago
was that was was a star in his own right
you know was he never was that superstar
in in America but he was a star he was
he was he had a huge long rain at
heavyweight massive unbeaten rain and he
would have felt like the man and there
was always talk of him versus Andy
Joshua and then
obviously far gone now I mean we still
want to see that fight I’d love to see
that fight but yeah maybe the the fight
is left him he’s fighting um J xang xang
I mean who do you think wins that fight
against him Shang I mean shang’s coming
off that narrow loss to Parker as well
but he just seemed that maybe he gone in
there too heavy you know like just that
he had Parker hurt a number of times it
just couldn’t he never had he never had
it it was like he blew a gasket from
about round eight he never had it in the
tank to sort of go on and push on a
little bit more still look very very
dangerous who do you think wins that
fight by the way Z Zang or Deontay
Wilder going off recent performances if
as long as Jang doesn’t come in at a
ridiculously heavy weight he beats he
beats Wilder um neither a particularly
High punch output and Jang definitely
gases he always does especially at his
heavier weight but he he is like a big
Force uh uh out of southp STS if he
lands on you you know you you you feel
the effect and Parco obviously had to
get up off the Flor I think it was twice
wasn’t it one and and deserve to win but
you think Jiang even though his age I
he’s into his 40s now so uh these guys
you know heavyweights they they live
forever but i’ I’d probably favor Jiang
in that fight over Wilder but I could
easily change my mind watching a bit of
training footage in the buildup on the
same on the same card June the first
we’ve got um Philip herovic versus
Daniel du like I say could be for the
vacant ibf title interesting fight that
as well Daniel’s got this new
reinstalled confidence teaming up with
Don Charles I think it’s been a good
thing the jell Miller Victory I think
added that confidence installed a little
bit more confidence in him he seems to
be in a really good place he’s in our
gym actually I see Daniel from time to
time Philip hich obviously he’s the sort
of Danger Man of the division you know
going in I think he was he proved
himself a little bit against J Jang
didn’t he out there on the undercard of
Anthony Joshua versus usk you there with
times where you go he’s really digging
deep here he’s taking some big shots but
he showed that he’s got that character
to be able to come through that he
weathered it pulled away in the last
quarter of the fight and pulled through
but that’s an interesting fight that one
who do you pick there do you go for
herovic or do you think that du has got
that momentum with
him yeah
I’m I
think the best is still yet to come from
Daniel dub he’s only 26 years of age
people forget that as well 26 and you
know he had a he had a a good win he had
that that fight against Joe Joyce it
must to be a good few years ago now and
then there was sort of question marks
and then obviously he’s lost to usyk but
usyk I think we talking earlier maybe
number one in the division um but he’s
back he’s back to winning way he beat
Jerel mof yeah and Miller you know think
what you will about Miller you know but
it’s a win and he’s Miller’s a handful
you know so and I think
maybe just lacking a t of bit of
confidence would be would be Daniel D
but he’s certainly Fearless at the same
time he’s gone he he takes the fights if
they come his way and his time might be
right against against herovic herovic
really good fighter just feels like it’s
been a real slow burner I feel like
hergovich has been on my radar for like
six seven years and I’m wondering why he
hasn’t quite got there yet do you think
he’s the sort of chairman of the who
needs him who wants him club like as in
you know I mean he’s had to work himself
up to that ibf into those ibf rankings
to get that opportunity to get that shot
CU you look at him and you think this
guy’s a dangerous guy all these guys by
the way I’ve got history you know boxing
in the amateurs and whatnot but
hergovich he’s developed as you know
they’ve developed him really well
brought him along slowly and he is the
danger man of the sport isn’t he yeah
that could I mean that could be the
fight that sort of steals a show uh in
that respect in might upstage um Wilder
Jang uh and in some ways there’s a lot
more to play for in that fight and and I
I think by you know looking at the
boxing landscape it seems like it will
be for the vacant yeah ibf so that’s on
the line as well so um I wouldn’t to be
honest I wouldn’t want to pick a winner
at this stage what did you make by the
way of Daniel DUIs and the low blow
situation out there with Alexander I was
out there actually and I’m looking that
I go personally I didn’t think it was a
low blow I saw it I watched it in slow
mode we know when George you know when
Al the waistbands come up Alexandre has
a history of not liking shots the mid
drift and I personally I thought it was
genius from him because he stayed down
he bought the time and and recovered and
I think du lost the momentum and he
should have just jumped on him and he
didn’t do that what was your thoughts on
that shot on that low blow and did that
change your mind of Alexander usk and
his mindset well you know like he get it
goes
in we’ve had the we’ve had the uh you
think it was low blow yeah I thought it
was low I thought it was low because it
wasn’t it was
it wasn’t straight in the in the
knackers
but it’s not it’s not above the waist is
it you know so I’m not sure exactly what
the rules are I I generally don’t know I
just knew when I was fighting you could
someone let’s use your belly button as
the target yeah was it below the belly
button or above that below the belly you
Reon I think so I remember but I mean
the point of it all is that he goes down
the referee instantly says a low blow so
if he’s winded or not there no you know
you don’t need to rush to your feet you
take the time um but yeah I I genely
thought had the time I thought he was
low I thought Fair referees called it
that’s what it is and I did think he’s
not doubled up crippled in pain and
couldn’t get up he just was sitting
there going oh I haven’t got Rush my
feet I when I won um oh he done he done
the right thing for him for definitely
you know he bought that time and he
boxed really well so like I think
sometimes usyk’s work gets
underappreciated um because he is that
fighter who takes his time breaks you
down methodically I remember when he
fought Tony bellu and B was it felt like
was doing well to start with but you can
see like you can see that usk’s well
within his comfort zone and he’s just
building into the fight same when he
fought Derek chisora same when he fought
um Daniel dubuis and then ultimately
like dub was exhausted like had had the
stop the fight had to be stopped so um
yeah I thought I thought for the sake of
uh the the controversy I thought I
thought it was low I mean look there are
two interesting fights there Wilder
versus Zang um herovic and duar going at
it now interestingly Anthony Joshua’s
had that conversation with turkey Al
shake and he says listen it’s all about
legacies me fighting the best of our
modern eras and whatnot that’s what
Andie Joshua’s always wanted tur Al
shakes promised him he said look the
winner of Wilder Jang duar hovic whoever
looks the best out of those two fights
you fight Wembley Stadium September the
20th is the I think is the proposed date
I mean that that that’s great for
British boxing right I mean that’s
exactly what Anthony Joshua wants he
wants those fights we’re getting what we
wanted now aren’t we with the with the
investment of Saudi Arabia Serio Shake
making these fights for the boxing fan
you’re going you know the boxing fan
it’s a win-win because we’re not just
getting the fights over in Saudi Arabia
we’re now actually getting them at
Wembley Stadium as well and I mean that
would be a fantastic fight who would you
like to see Joshua win out of those
names I’ll just me
what would be like the dream fight for
you yeah I
mean I’d be Keen to see all of them to
be honest like do we get all of them by
the way George like with the way that it
looks now with the landscape of these
heavyweights like I say and with what’s
going on out there in Saudi do you think
we get all these fights best fighting
the best winner fighting winner Etc
because I personally do over the next 12
24 months yeah we could do I mean you
can’t argue against it you’ve got June
1st on that card you’ve got the two best
light heavyweights in the world fighting
each other
um but if you take maywether out of the
picture the maywether era where maywe
could had so much control and therefore
thought who he wanted when he wanted and
never saw the Pacquiao fight um I don’t
always buy into that that you know when
when the promoters or the managers say
that we we we wouldn’t see these fights
otherwise well you got to fight someone
you got to fight someone absolutely and
um you know if if there was no
big money in this part of the world then
you fight somewhere else for less money
because if you don’t fight you get no
money yeah sure so and you get no
recognition you get no you know you
don’t keep your presence you don’t
manage to build your legacy it’s great
that we’re getting almost random fights
at times cuz like these heavyweights are
going in with each other when there’s no
belts on the line and you know they’re
kind of risking a lot by fighting
without potentially being next in line
to fight for a world title or whatnot so
that’s great
um but yeah actually very exciting is if
they’re going to bring it to the UK
where fight fans can from the UK can
easily access it as a game changer I was
the first one to fight in Saudi I I back
Saudi I’m you know I’m not anti Saudi I
was in the world boxing Super Series I
fought Callum Smith in the final super
middleweight category we went to Saudi
Arabia the very first professional
boxing changed since then by the way
like you know because you’ve been out
there since then but working on this
side of the ropes you know in the
broadcasting side side has it changed a
lot from when you went out there because
like you say you was the very first one
and I mean it is evolving out there
things are changing all the time I went
out there 2019 Joshua versus ru’s 1 and
um oh sorry Ruiz 2 and I went out there
and um I can’t believe how much it’s
changing if I’m totally honest it is
changing all the time is it that’s the
last time I’ve been I went out and
covered that that that show I haven’t
been since I’m going uh lucky enough to
be there uh working for uh Fury versus
usyk and yeah I’m I’m I’m convinced that
it will be extremely different I went to
jeda I think now I think most of the
fights are now in RI Riad um and it has
certainly obviously come a long long way
um but you know when you’re at home
watching on the
Telly it does seem a bit different it
does feel a bit different but if they’re
bring as say if they’re bringing these
shows now sort of worldwide going across
you know different locations Wembley
Stadium um surely going to a mega event
and then the buildup will be in London
sure it’s just great yeah it’s great for
fans and I think that you know so an
interest in doing the smaller weights
and whatnot as well I mean AJ in that
interview as well just going back to the
to the interview AJ showed an interestes
in going over old ground ground with
Andy Ruiz Jr so possibly a trilogy there
and he says that there’s a big appetite
to fight Alexander usk again where do
you where where do you see that now I
mean this new reinvented Anthony Joshua
under the watchful eye Ben Davidson the
new improved Joshua in many ways would
he have a chance going into usyk for a
third time yeah possibly possibly I
think
um um you know if someone said to to
Joshua would you would you entertain a
ru’s fight of course going to say yes
but I don’t think there’ll be a huge
appetite for that would he want to fight
usyk and try and write the wrong of
getting beat twice absolutely
um you know after his last performance
uh Eddie Hearn was there saying you know
this is the best heavyweight on the
planet but we can’t forget that he
knocked out cage fighter with 01
experience so that was what Fury should
have done the first time would he beat
usk I don’t think so I think usyk just
might have his number but he does look
great Joshua you know I think he’s um
and just a guy of his size there was
tweaks that he always need to make maybe
he’s making him with B Ben davidon and
maybe I suppose yeah the West is still
yet to come for him um you trying to
rank the the heavyweights you’d argue
you have a strong AR put him at number
three yeah even though you know Parker’s
in form you know uh herovic Daniel dubis
is coming back but you still say yeah
you put put Joshua at number three so
yeah I think I think I don’t think he be
usk but if if he if he fights himself
into a position to challenge usk great
if usk gets beat by Fury Joshua Fury is
a fight that everyone wants to see that
makes massive sense so you know it’s a
weird one if there’s a lot of
competition around right now A there
like and a lot of I think Anthony Joshua
said this in his interview as well that
you go you know there’s fights now where
you’re going where heavyweight fights
are going to be made and are being made
we go they’re 50/50s you know you can
see both sides that these fights can be
that’s healthy in it like when you’re
talking about modern eras and I want to
jum the reason I’m asking you this I
want to jump I’m going to go back into
the ER of the ’90s with Leno Lewis and
how he would compare in this modern era
now when you talk about modern eras
there’s a lot of competition around
right now which is really healthy for
the sport because the heavyweight title
really is not just the P Pinnacle of
boxing it’s the Pinnacle of sportting
anyway isn’t it yeah no it is it is it
is and you know when you think about
Lennox Lewis who retired how would he
compare how would he compare in today’s
ERA with like Joshua usk you
know Wilder zel jangs how would you comp
lenux would he beat them
all yeah yeah he would he would he would
and maybe that’s just because fighters
from history just um age better and it’s
the opposite of like recency by he had
size back then as well didn’t he like
because when you talk about heavyweights
of the past you’re looking at Mike
Tyson’s and all those sort of guys you
go really his prime was 15 Stone 10
Tyson like when you look at that you go
that’s too small for a heavyweight these
days because of the size the
heavyweights but Lennox was a giant of a
man back then weren’t he big guy punched
hard great jab good boxing IQ great feet
Olympic champion um you know I think you
put him in against Andy Joshua I think
he beats Andy Joshua you put him in
against Tyson Fury he beats Tyson Fury
he beats he he You’ think he’ he’d beat
usyk yeah um and yeah and yeah and other
than if he’s beating him fre then he’ be
beating everyone but um do you think he
maybe doesn’t get the respect he
deserves this is like when you look at
like you use Larry Hol as an example as
Larry Holmes as an example as well you
go Larry Holmes lives in the shadows of
Muhammad Ali so he never really got the
respect that he should have he should
have got like and and the the accolades
that he should have got because he was
an unbelievable fighter but because of
that Alli thing and I think that with
Lennox Lewis he sort of lived in the
shadows of Mike Tyson because of that
Tyson Mania that phenomenon was Mike TI
and Lennox maybe not receives the
respect that he does because of that I
mean do you do you feel like that
because I think that he I I think that
you know when you’re talking about
generational great he was he was
outstanding
leonnard yeah he was he was really good
um that was the uh that was certainly
the case wasn’t it when he he post post
Mike Tyson ero it was Tyson phenomena
and but I can’t I mean it was a little
bit before my time in terms of being a
kid and understand in the the the boxing
world as such but you know don’t think
he certainly wasn’t as marketable as
I say Tyson but with with time now
people really respect Lennox and and his
achievements and his ability and then it
won’t just be me who would say that yeah
he probably if if he was in this era he
would have been the top yeah I listen
you know all the heavy weights that
we’ve just been talking about there who
comes out number one for you like who do
you think is going to be the the Modera
the generational great of this era
because I do think we get to see all
these fights as Anthony Joshua think
he’s reinstalled a little bit of
confidence could he put his name back in
the mix you know he’s written off 12
months ago do you think Alexander usk is
going to be the standout Fury I mean
it’s an interesting one so if you’re
talking about post Vladimir kitko era um
when he lost essentially when he lost
when he lost a fury uh I think I think
it’s Fury’s Fury’s era till well till
now and then if usyk beats him then it’s
at usk’s era for as long as he
continues and it might be a little bit
unfair to to Joshua um because he was
such a a global star but
um he never he never had the chance to
fight wild art or fight Fury in their in
their Prime if you just had to pick pick
one or the other most people are going
to pick pick Fury in front of front of
Joshua and I’m probably the same and you
know what it’s it really is an
interesting debate though is it because
we’re all going to have an opinion and I
think we will find that out in the next
24 months or so cuz I do think that we
do get the best fighting the best um
George want to move on to a different
topic guy that you know really well
Chris Eubank Jr he’s released a
statement saying he is now a free agent
he’s put that out on social media and
the statement says I’m a free agent
again word of advice for upcoming
Fighters get yourself a legal and
management team and make sure you only
work with promoters that align with your
vision goals and dreams what did you
make of that quite a strong statement
strong but totally ambiguous like uh he
didn’t tell us what his what his uh
dreams were aligned with but it does it
does sort of tell you though that maybe
he had managerial problems and things
weren’t going right and he seems to have
been out of that now he’s been released
from that but that’s that’s the side of
the sport that people don’t see do they
the business side of it George and you
will know this too well better than
anyone because you reach those Heights
you’ve been to the very very top and you
know that when business is involved in
sport it’s different to the aages and
whatnot once in business sometimes it
can be very difficult and that can hold
a career back I think that’s maybe what
he was he was aligning to there because
he had that W WBO title on the line that
for some reason never happened never
materialized he was there he said that
he wanted it and his team never made it
happen and maybe that’s what he’s
talking about the business side of the
sport which can be dark yeah yeah well
it’s it’s who knows who knows what what
what’s gone on there um he’s he’s ped
ways with with wasman box him um I know
I know wasman you know um they they they
bought up saland promotions so kala and
Nissa saand are there running it you
know Nissa I worked with closely for my
career CA actually left to to um set up
the well boxing Super Series they got
Junior into the uh tournament I was in
the tournament and I think he got done
really well he got good money really
good money he got a chance to fight for
a world title um and after that I
remember trying to back CU bank and say
I think he’s a talent I think he wants
to fight for a world title but I’m not
sure personally I don’t think it
was uh uh promotional or managerial
reasons why he hasn’t V for World title
I think he he doesn’t want to you know
you think he just chases the financial
gain as opposed to you know cementing
Legacy in his own boxing career he takes
the option to go right financially that
makes sense I’m just going to go there
there more money there as opposed to
when we’re all kids and we’re growing up
you boxing and DOW you finching or
whatever your dreams and your
aspirations have become world champion
that’s what you want and that’s what you
strive for you know money’s really
secondary but Chris sort of like he’s a
businessman and he you know he looks
where the best money financially is and
do you think that’s maybe why he’s not
gone he’s gone down differentes yeah
let’s get it straight so he’s um there
was a lot of hype around him like in the
era where he was about to fight me his
dad was backing him his dad said he’s
going to be the best best middleweight
super middleweight lightweight on the
planet he fights me he gets beaten
pretty comfortably and then he realizes
probably oh actually
let’s go
for Less risk more of a reward um he’s
he’s been in he’s been promised a Connor
Ben fight who two weight divisions
lighter than him that fight was signed
it nearly happened Connor Ben failed a w
do you think we’ll ever see that by the
way uh and when we that that hasn’t
happened since so since then EU bank and
this is fine like this is to almost to
his credit he is a massive name right
the fact he can fight Liam Smith on a
pay-per-view it’s not Liam Smith it’s
not a world title it’s
because Eubank yeah he has backto back
pay-per-views with with Liam Smith
so that’s that’s him picking I’m not
going for a world title for less money
I’ll go for the money and he’s sitting
around waiting for for a Conor Ben fight
I mean you think we’ll ever see that
though George do you think that that is
a fight that maybe even when he’s trying
to achieve whatever he wants to
achieve fight that we’ll get we see that
I I what’s your take on on on Conor Ben
and the whole situation right now by the
way like where you know it’s all gone a
little bit quiet I think that he failed
the appeal near the or the British
boxing Board of control won the appeal
and we haven’t heard anything since then
I mean I don’t know what that means for
Connor Ben and the situation with him
being able to fight here or even in the
world right now what’s your what’s your
thoughts on it I I I don’t know I don’t
I don’t I don’t have a like a strong
relationship with with Conor Ben he uh
there there it’s obviously a legal thing
he’s desperate to fight and I think that
that’s what soank hasn’t hasn’t thought
cuz he’s waiting for a Conor Ben fight
he’s probably doesn’t want to pay wasman
the commission you know or percentage or
whatever he would have been tied into so
he’s decided right let me try and park
those guys because there’s there’s a lot
of money on the table we know how much
there was a lot of money on the table
for him to fight Conor Ben um the janc
fight for a well title I didn’t believe
that for a second I don’t think eubank’s
chasing titles you know I I don’t think
that’s what he wants he’s chasing
chasing money and so be it you know
but you know we got Misfits now which is
growing growing underneath the wasman
banner so he might resign with uh wasman
in the future if he ends up down that
Miss route which might be more more yeah
why not he he’s uh goggle box and fight
fight Jake let see you you and Co FR
having on there absolutely yeah why not
Never Say Never oh M that would be
brilliant listen Canelo Alvarez he goes
again um against Jamie mongia this
weekend I mean what’s your thoughts on
that you know if he comes through that
fight where does he go next Canelo you
know what do you see it’s a great fight
everyone wanted to see the Benz fight
but obviously that wasn’t going to
happen whose fault that was who knows
Benz has moved up and Mong sort of
stepped in um great fighter great record
um they’ve got that Mutual opponent that
they’ve had recently with John Ryder um
which I don’t think is you know a clear
indication of who’s going to win this
fight I think canel wins um and maybe he
wins comfortably um maybe there maybe
not but um you know Canelo is sort of
victim of his own success he just sort
of came you know and cleaned up that
that division super midweight division
so quick and so effortlessly he’s he’s
sort of waiting for another big name and
the big names are just not around he
went up to to like heavyweight to fight
bivel and that was a step too far and
now there’s talk of you know ter
Crawford and these other sort of gimme
fights you don’t know if they’re
actually going to get made but this
fight this weekend uh mongia I think is
it’s a great fight I think Canelo wins
pretty comfortably but CCO Deo two
Mexicans one this hardcore sort of
working class Mexican versus the uh
Superstar Mexican makes for for a great
fight it is a great fight you know Mia
proved that he is a good fighter he tall
he range he’s awkward it could be
interesting how that one goes you know
Canelo comes through which we expect him
to do Tokyo shake so an interest in
Terrence Crawford who I think by the way
it’s not exceptional fighter but too
small you know I think it’ll be too much
of a jump too soon I think for me
Benevides is the fight that we really
would love to see you know that that
that will Mexican battle and I think
that was the one you look at Benavides
he’s an exceptional Talent as well you
think he’s staying away from Benavides
for a reason Canelo because he’s a
dangerous guy isn’t he yeah I’ve I’ve
heard I’ve been hearing stories about
Benz for years now years now even when I
was still fighting they were like this
guy gu he’s he’s a monster um you know
watch out for him and he you know he
blew hot and cold he’s had his problems
um he’s had his his banss and stuff like
that but he seems to be on the menend
and fighting at his best and maybe
someone yeah to be avoided um but they
put these fights together so quickly um
Spencer I I like six month Billups me I
mean I want to know he’s fighting Ben
aidz in September and I want to know now
so we can get on board that train I
don’t when these fights are made six to
8 to 10 weeks out again following that
Floyd moev trend of like keep them
around with a contracts keep
them sort of out of the loop and then we
sign them we go so I’d like to see that
fight with loads of buildup um but if
not I want to see him establish himself
at light heavyweight because light
heavyweight is a fantastic division
right now two main guys fight each other
but loads of great Brits as well chasing
pack so we’d like to see if if if he
ain’t up at like heavyweight fight and
Biv or BV then maybe we see him with one
or our top boys George you know what
there’s so much going on in the boxing
world now out in Saudi Arabia over here
as well all the weight divisions as
always mate it’s great speaking to you
give us a little plug on your show Once
More George where people can watch it
you and Cole FR you go at it again
unfortunately it’s on a stage and not in
a boxing ring you never know though you
mentioned it it could happen at some
point but I mean give yeah give the show
another plug mate on where people can
get the tickets and whatnot well this
might be the the the next best thing for
me trying to knock Co FR out uh in a
boxing ring but you can come and see
both of us on the stage shephers Bush
Empire on May the 22nd we will be there
be reliving that second fight that
iconic fight Wembley Stadium all the
buildup all the shenanigans uh a little
bit of a push and a pull and then uh and
an epic night for all so uh we love to
see you there get your tickets online so
just sech grow for live it will come up
pick your place tickets and be there
George thanks so much mate it’s been
great chatting to you and that’s it for
episode number 71 of talk boxing until
next week we’ll see you then
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