Usyk-Fury 2 was a decent fight that was engaging but not thrilling. It was a competent contest between two very good fighters where the better man (Usyk) won via three fair judges’ scorecards that tallied a 116-112 score apiece.
Usyk is awesome. Fury couldn’t solve the riddle, and Usyk outworked Fury en route to a second straight points victory. It was nothing worthy of an entire Notes from the Boxing Underground column. The bigger story, at least for me, was the media covering the event under the control of Saudi Arabian authority.
The boxing media did not hide its willingness to play lapdog to the Saudi overlords holding dollar bills in front of them. Next week’s Notes from the Boxing Underground will address the growing issue of media-controlled events in boxing.
The media also plays a big role in the Oleksandr Usyk reign, and WHO he is plays a significant role in the attention he receives. As good as Usyk is in the ring, his persona contributes to the media’s support of him.
Despite holding the most prestigious title in boxing, Usyk’s star power may not be as significant globally as portrayed by the media. He has risen to the top during a power grab of money and riches in the Saudi market.
Usyk is a great fighter deserving of accolades, but the reality of his star power may not match media portrayals. Boxing remains detached from reality, often promoting non-stars as superstars and marginal events as mega-events.
In its own way, boxing’s promotion can be as phony as celebrity novelty fights. While Usyk may continue to have successful fights, the impact on the sport’s big picture may not be significant. It’s important to consider the larger implications of boxing’s promotion and media coverage in the long run.
Enjoying the sport for its entertainment value is important, but considering the bigger picture and the impact of promotions and media coverage is crucial for the future of boxing as a sport.
Got something for Magno? Send it here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com
