Waiting, waiting, waiting on major fights to hopefully be finalized
Plus TONS of random thoughts on Canelo's Super Bowl ad, worst scheduled main event, what a great PPV actually is, Ramirez's duck of Prograis, merit of AJ-Franklin, dull middleweight division, MORE
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There still are no legit major fights officially on the boxing schedule for 2023. Although I count three that are seriously in the works, none of them are finalized and each has issues:
Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia: Besides the fact that Davis’ hit-and-run trial begins Thursday in Baltimore, and he faces 14 counts that could send him to prison if convicted, the sides are still dickering over paperwork, rematch language and a few other so-called loose ends for what would be a Showtime PPV fight at 136 pounds. I am still somewhat bullish that this one will get done and happen — assuming Davis is not incarcerated.
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk: With the Middle East and its pot of gold apparently out of the running to host the undisputed heavyweight title fight on the target date of April 29 that means there is much less money available by having it at the back-up site of Wembley Stadium in London, where even a sold-out crowd approaching 100,000 won’t generate the kind of bread organizers hoped for in Saudi Arabia. That means both sides are dug in and arguing over revenue splits and money with Fury, from what I’m told, seeking the lion’s share and Usyk not backing off 50-50. While there’s nothing holding the fight up in terms of promotional, broadcaster or sanctioning body issues one thing is — the almighty Euro.
Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko: Haney’s undisputed lightweight title defense isn’t as big as the other two above fight, but it’s still a big deal and targeted for May 20 in Las Vegas and very likely on ESPN+ pay-per-view. But it’s never easy closing these kinds of fights and from what I am told there are issues between Haney and Top Rank over his guarantee for the fights. Hopefully, it gets worked out.
Remember, I wrote fights “that are seriously in the works.” Therefore, Errol Spence-Terence Crawford doesn’t make the above list. Will it ever? Will anyone care by then?