New Joshua interview - would consider stepping aside??

[Mark TKO]

A shorter interview this time. What's your take. Implies he would step aside from usyk rematch if it made good business sense?? The guys finished as a major player

[Master]

AJ must be going insane if he is considering step aside he must be joking. No way this happens. Ever.

[Mark TKO]

Yep. But he never came straight out and said he wouldn’t.

[Spicoli]

He sounds completely scattered and conflicted there. Bit of a roller coaster aligning 'fighter respect most important' with being known as the sports smartest business man . Never mentions Usyk until asked and changes the subject right off. Think he's genuine but mentally he's all over the place.

[Mark TKO]

Or does he think he can't win the rematch and if Fury wins then he can get the big all UK showdown money.

[Spicoli]

Or does he think he can't win the rematch and if Fury wins then he can get the big all UK showdown money.

He's not without closing career calculation at this point. But if he's doubting making adjustments and finding the fire for Usyk II and just content to step aside and sit down it sort of nixes that empty 'respect is my #1 point' for him. He's politicking. And who does he find the fire for while Fury and Usyk sort it out I wonder. Can't see Whyte II doing it.

Calling it...trilogy with slimmer meaner Ruiz and this time he goes for the ko .

[nuggetdotcom]

AJ must be going insane if he is considering step aside he must be joking. No way this happens. Ever.

It happens once one of his 'team' tell him he has no chance against Usyck and is better off holding water with Chisora or whyte until he can get a fury payday for getting beat.

[Mark TKO]

Frank Warren's comments on that interview - starts at 12:55

[Master]

I believe it is not true, AJ talking about step a side.

Fury will face Whyte and AJ will face Usyk. Winners match each other later in the year.

[Mark TKO]

I believe it is not true, AJ talking about step a side.

Fury will face Whyte and AJ will face Usyk. Winners match each other later in the year.

thanks for clarifying

[Master]

AJ knows that if he steps aside, he will lose his prime position to get revenge and get his titles back which may leave him in the wilderness for years.

It also sends out a message to his challengers that AJ is finished and done as a top fighter. That he has no confidence in himself and prefers to take the money than the challenge.

AJ can avenge his loss and be in a strong negotiating position when he eventually faces Tyson Fury. That fight will eventually happen one way or another. It is a huge domestic battle that we have been waiting for years.

It would go against AJ's legacy, hit his finances and impact on his performance because he will be less active if he takes the step aside money.

[Mark TKO]

You maybe need to give him a ring

[ykdadamaja]

A shorter interview this time. What's your take. Implies he would step aside from usyk rematch if it made good business sense?? The guys finished as a major player

this poser. he is worse than wilder imo... wilder has an excuse, he started late and never learned to fight properly. joshua just wants to be a model.... get out of boxing aj.

[Beanz]

A shorter interview this time. What's your take. Implies he would step aside from usyk rematch if it made good business sense?? The guys finished as a major player

this poser. he is worse than wilder imo... wilder has an excuse, he started late and never learned to fight properly. joshua just wants to be a model.... get out of boxing aj.

Joshua didn't start boxing even as an amateur until he was 18 and although Wilder was 20, Wilder had already been boxing for 2 years when Joshua started, so that kind of obliterates that excuse. Forget the Fury fights and Joshua's record pisses all over Wilders.

AJ just got beaten on his feet by a very well rounded fighter, that in no way invalidates the rest of his career.

[Mark TKO]

This step aside angle is gaining momentum in the media now.

It makes sense for Joshua in many ways. It's a rematch he can win yes, but Usyk is a strong favourite and its difficult to see where AJ goes after a rematch defeat particularly if he gets knocked out.

If Fury Usyk goes ahead then Joshua will get a hefty step aside fee and then the chance to take on Fury in a massive UK bout. If Usyk beats Fury then there's also the rematch for AJ then.

It's a no brainer the more you think about it I don't think he believes he can beat Usyk

This will happen*.

* unless Master gets through to AJ regarding his legacy when they have their phone call