@JonathanLittle I start my day by thanking God for the great things I do have and the bad things I don't have.
"Donβt forget that people are praying for things you already have. Stay humble and thankful." - @livechristian1
Oh snap! I see the editors cut straight to the chase about the Del Rey Hotel! Had a great time chatting with @jeffedelstein .... thank you for having me!
Rico Verhoeven was NOT robbed of a century level upset. Sure, the referee may have jumped the gun. However, we would have witnessed a completely different bout in Usyk vs. Rico had it not been for open scoring. Make no mistake about it.
The @WBCBoxing utilized an open scoring system for this fight, meaning the judges' scorecards were announced between rounds. After eight rounds, the fight was tied 76-76 on all three cards. This allowed both corners to adjust their strategies in real-time. But let's look at the bigger picture: Usyk @usykboxing underwhelming pace was a calculated move. He could have gotten him out of there much earlier.
Instead, pacing the fight builds the drama necessary to set up a 1/2 dozen more lucrative, cross sport paydays. This is the reality of the modern crossover promotion machine. We have seen this playbook run time & time again:
π₯ Mayweather vs. McGregor: @TheNotoriousMMA was gifted the first 3 rounds by the defensive GOAT. Floyd opened as a massive -2500 favorite but closed at just -400 because the public bought into the manufactured hype. @FloydMayweather wasted no time overseas with Tenshin Nasukawa.
π₯ Fury vs. Ngannou: Tyson @Tyson_Fury never stepped on the gas, got knocked down, and entirely changed the fight dynamic resulting in a Draw & another massive payday for Francis.
π₯ Joshua vs. Ngannou & Paul: AJ wasn't going to make Fury's mistake w/ @francis_ngannou, getting him outa there exactly like he was supposed to. (Ngannou down in round one and twice in round two.) Even against Jake Paul, Joshua coasted until he decided to step on the gas late, and when he did, Jakeβs jaw ended up needing to be wired.
These fighters are -2500 favorites for a reason. The skill disparity in these crossover fights is absolutely insurmountable, especially when you are talking about the top 3 Boxing heavyweights of their era.
This cycle will keep happening. Itβs a rinse & repeat model for massive paydays, & from a business perspective, thatβs great for everyone involved.
But when it comes to wagering, if you like money, you can't buy into underdog hype or rely on results from past crossover spectacles. Bettors often fall into trap of thinking, "Well, the underdog can win 1 in 20 times at those odds so lets take a shot."
The problem is "they don't fight 20 times. They fight once." πΏπ₯―π
#UsykRico #UsykVerhoeven #Usyk #Boxing #SportsBusiness #SportsBetting #CombatSports @Fight_Ghost@valdosta123 #UFC #GypsyKing
"go out there and get a couple rounds work in.. if he gets cute just step on the gas and get him outa there" - Coach Bagels π₯#UsykVerhoeven#Boxing#UsykRico#GloryInGiza
no illusion of competitive crossover fight here..strip away kicks.. Rico Verhoeven's 37 year old elite athlete trapped in boxing geometry he can't solve.. not even a puncher's chance..looking forward to ringwalks.. & good for'm getting paidπ₯#UsykVerhoeven#Boxing#UsykRicoππ₯―