Not sure I agree just due to how many interact with boxing through historical records - myself included People may read about Wilder's reign in 30 years time, but they will also look at the W-L record in the run up to fighting Usyk. It won't look pretty. They will also know he was over 40 years old, and if they say go back and look at historical ring rankings for today, they won't see his name. Contrast that to Kabayel. They will see he was undefeated, and possibly that he was the WBC interim champion and former euro champion in his prime. If they choose to check the historical Ring Rankings, they will also see that Kabayel was top 5.
Yeah I feel a lot of people not from the US would be shocked to hear that Fury isn’t well known. Everyone in the UK knows him, it’s just people don’t fully appreciate the size of the US, the mass differences in cultural and economic demographics.
In the end of his career, Usyk wants big money fights. The likes of Wardley, Kabayel, Sanchez etc would bring a salary of $10M at most. Fighting the American Wilder will be huge in the US, and Usyk will be paid at least $100M. I have a feeling Usyk gives some of his salaries to Ukraine government, to support his country in war. So, he needs biggest paydays.
Lol, Wilder isn't that big in US himself. I don't think it is much bigger of a fight financially than vs. Wardley in UK.
I don't know how it works but there is still lots of money in the US for boxing, which is why they did all three Fury-Wilder fights in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Makes no sense to me whatsoever, and at face value, I would agree with you that Wardley in Wembley does good box office. But there is it--Wilder sells in Vegas. I guess the US is just so big that even as a niche sport, there are still tens of millions interested.
I don't understand why we talk about Wilder being good for Usyks legacy Like we usually don't talk about Holmes beating Ali Or of Paul beating Tyson
The US is the richest country in the world. Even the likes of Paul can generate tens of millions of dollars. A fight with Wilder will bring at least $100M payday for Usyk.
[url]https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-15353823/amp/HE-BOTTLED-Fabio-Wardleys-manager-Mike-Ofo-blasts-Usyk-ditching-WBO-belt-dodge-mandatory-says-former-champ-used-title-bargaining-chip.html[/url] Wardleys manager claims usyk chickened out
I was thinking of Tyson vs Holmes. Holmes did exceptionally well and still everyone is aware that that was not even close to prime Holmes. To me if I imagine prime Holmes against this tyson... It rather makes Tyson look worse than better.
Would it be a ‘cash out’ fight though? How would a fight against Wilder in Saudi be more profitable than a fight against Wardley at Wembley?
I don’t wanna see Wilder get KTFO again so not a fan of this fight. Even if Wilder can avoid a KO I think Usyk will pound the body badly. Wilder needs a few easy fights first to gain some confidence as this is not the ONE