Expert Explains Why Usyk vs. Fury Fight Won't Generate Hype in US

Boxing insider and commentator Dan Rafael shared his thoughts on the fight for the undisputed world heavyweight championship (over 90.7 kg) between the holder of the WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO titles Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) and WBC champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs).

"I'm looking forward to this fight, like any boxing fan. We haven't had an undisputed champion since the late nineties when Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis had their rematch. Lennox won, taking all the titles. He should have won them in their first fight, but it was declared a draw. So, this is significant from a historical perspective. Honestly, I'm not feeling a lot of fire in this fight. There are other great fights. For example, Canelo will be fighting before them. I hope as this fight approaches, it will receive more attention. I still think that in the United States, this fight won't attract a huge amount of attention, a massive hype. But there will definitely be someone from the boxing media there. All because the fight will take place in Saudi Arabia, and it doesn't involve an American fighter. Fury is, of course, well known in the US, but Usyk is not, for obvious reasons. And the fight will take place at a very unusual time for us. Not when we are used to watching major championship fights, it will be on PPV. So, a lot will be against this fight in the US, but that doesn't negate how great it is. Unfortunately, I don't think it will create a wave in the US," said Rafael.

The match between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will take place on May 18th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.