Comments Thread For: Yes, boxing fans, there is heavyweight life after May 2

[Mike D]

And for the record by no means do I think Fitzsimmons is "clueless". I'm sure he's extremely knowledgeable about the sport. I just think the notion that Wlad needing Wilder for "validation" was a stretch to say the least.

[kafkod]

Outside of boxing fans? F**k no. The average US sports (non-boxing) fan would have no clue who Wilder is.

Thanks. I thought not, after seeing the pathetic turn out for that home-town victory parade he had after Stiverne.

Maybe if he keeps beating bums and showing up ring-side for the big fights wearing a shiny suit that might change. But I guess it means he won't be fighting Wlad anytime soon.

[-PBP-]

This fight is a long ways away. Stiverne is good start but Wilder has other contenders he needs to beat first.

[removed]

Outside of boxing fans? F**k no. The average US sports (non-boxing) fan would have no clue who Wilder is.

That homecoming "parade" he went on after his won his paper belt was hilarious. There was literally about 50 people there, IN HIS HOME STATE.

[kafkod]

That homecoming "parade" he went on after his won his paper belt was hilarious. There was literally about 50 people there, IN HIS HOME STATE.

Lol. And most of them were carrying shopping bags and had that "What the **** is this all about?" look on their faces.

[bigdunny1]

The level of competition Wilder has faced is beyond laughable. Very few creditable heavyweights on his resume. Haymon has no intentions of putting him in the ring Klitschko. At least not right away. Their plan was to feed Wilder mismatches and wait it out till Klitschko gets old and retires or fight him when he's a shadow of his former self. Wilder has had 33 pro fights and is turning 30 in a few months. He is not a young fighter. He should be fighting nothing but top fighters at this stage but just watch his next fight will be a step down from Stiverne instead of a step up. But this is what happens when you are protected by Haymon

[SUBZER0ED]

Kellerman didn't mention Wlad vs Wilder, because Wilder is a Haymon fighter who fights on Showtime. As for Fitz saying that Wlad needs Wilder for validation, I hope he meant as far as unifying the division is concerned. Wilder does hold the belt that Vitali vacated, so winning it would not only unify the division, but it would also bring it back into the Klitschko family. Wlad doesn't need Wilder, but he should want his overrated ass.

[sicko]

Wlad vs Jennings was a STEP BACK unfortunately especially with Casuals who care nothing about strategy and just want to see punches fly until someone goes down

Heavyweight Division for it to get back (in the US at least) it needs PERSONALITY! It needs more of Wilder vs Briggs type Altercations! I like Fury because the Big Man has PERSONALITY! Some seem to look down on his Personality in his country but in the US he would be a Superstar if he was knocking people the *** out then singing Elvis Songs afterwards

As for Wlad vs Wilder, to be very honest and I have nothing but RESPECT for Wlad but I would much rather see Wilder and Fury battle for the torch after Wlad is done I think not only their styles would be more entertaining but so would the build for Fury vs Wilder would be better.

In America for the Heavyweight Division to get back, it needs more than Wilder and Jennings, it need guys like Michael Hunter, Gerald Washington, Charles Martin, Dominic Breazeale, Trevor Bryan they need these up and coming Americans to live up to their damn Potential to make things interesting in the Heavyweight Division. Expectations are Unrealistically high in American for Heavyweights because American\ fans either want to see another Tyson or another Ali not a bunch of Flabby Slobs.

I'm not crowning Wilder anything, I still need to see more vs better competition!

[Ryn0]

What a crock of ***** by lyle fitzsimmons. Haye was far more accomplished at HW and CW than Wilder and Fury is the better fighter.

Wilder has one OK win against Stiverne, he would get schooled if he didn't get the KO in the first few rounds, he has one weapon his right hand.

[SilverMiles]

He does need the WBC title for his legacy. He will go down as a titlist that never was unified champion if he doesn't. One time being unified champ out weighs several times as partial champion.

I believe the only reason Wlad never won the WBC title was because WBC refused to let him unify their title with the others. And if that's the case, he really doesn't need to win it now since everyone and their mama knows he the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World.