Ras Anber, cutman to former undisputed world champion Alexander Usyk, publicly criticized the commercial model of modern boxing, calling it "greedy" at every level of the industry. The specialist commented on the heated debate over the venue for the upcoming bout between British heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. This is reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing the YouTube channel The Ariel Helwani Show, where Anber gave a detailed comment.
"Greed Everywhere": Criticism of the Business Model
Commenting on the situation around the organization of the Fury–Joshua fight, Anber did not hold back his emotions about the financial appetites of the promoters and television. "All of this constantly reminds me that what I have always hated most about boxing is the boxing business. Everyone has become greedy, literally at every level. Wherever you look, at whatever level of boxing — there is greed. Starting with television and down the chain — greed everywhere," the cutman stated. According to him, commercial calculation has taken precedence over logic and the interests of the athletes and fans themselves.
Why MSG Will Scare Off British Fans
Anber emphasized that, despite historical examples of away fights, there is no logical sense in moving a fight of this level to the USA, for example to Madison Square Garden. He cited the constant loyalty of British fans as the main argument. "If you hold the fight at MSG, there is a risk of completely alienating the biggest fan base in modern boxing — the British market. Because if you start it here at eleven o'clock at night, then in Britain it will be four in the morning, and you will lose all of that audience," the specialist noted, pointing to the incompatibility of the American evening slot with British time.
London as the Only Logical Choice
At the same time, Anber acknowledged the objective difficulties: London still has problems with logistics and a curfew, about the continuation of which, according to him, negotiations are already underway with the mayor. Nevertheless, the cutman insists that the fight between two British stars should take place at home, on a venue native to both fighters, and not in a foreign jurisdiction.
Contradictory Data
There is a notable discrepancy in the positions of the parties and in media reports regarding the location. On the one hand, Ras Anber openly advocates for holding the fight in London and considers moving it to the USA (specifically to MSG) a mistake that will scare off the key audience. On the other hand, it was previously reported that the Joshua–Fury bout could be moved again — talks about a new location have already begun in the industry, and the arguments in favor of an American venue are linked primarily to the commercial interests of television and the promoters. Thus, the question of the fight's location remains open: Anber's expert assessment of London's "logic" directly contradicts the rumors circulating in the organization about a venue change, and the final decision on the location has not been recorded as of the time of publication.
Thus, Anber's statements add yet another voice to the prolonged discussion over where exactly one of the most anticipated heavyweight division fights should take place. His criticism of the boxing business's "greed" and his reliance on the British audience underscore that the dispute over the Fury–Joshua fight venue is not only logistical but also fundamentally commercial in nature.
