Comments Thread For: Tyson Fury Focused on Impressing American Fight Fans

[Ulver]

Lexus Lewis wasn't American either. Fury's got the charisma, if he delivers in the ring too, he could get popular. Why not.

Lennox Lewis was not popular in the US until he'd been retired for awhile and people decided they hated the Klitschkos.

When he was fighting he was negatively compared to Mike Tyson all the time and called a boring jab artist and a safety first heavyweight.

Sound familiar?

The US will never totally accept a non-US heavyweight champion, because of the legacy of America owning the division for so long - until Lewis and the Klitschkos "stole" it from them.

For many people--the more general sports fan, especially--boxing still IS the heavyweight division. That is the difference and the reason why a Pacquiao can become popular there, but a non-US heavyweight really can't.

[Straightener]

he might get a good following as some americans think their irish

i hope he does well though hes a funny charicter

[Tom Cruise]

He aint 'murrican

He's not American but he is Irish, if he keeps fighting (and winning) on the East Coast he will get a decent following.

[Earl-Hickey]

He's not American but he is Irish, if he keeps fighting (and winning) on the East Coast he will get a decent following.

Irish lol

Wasn't he born in romford

[Ulver]

He's not American but he is Irish, if he keeps fighting (and winning) on the East Coast he will get a decent following.

He can get a cult following, sure. But massive popularity is very unlikely.

[Ulver]

Irish lol

Wasn't he born in romford

Fury is from wherever happens to be handy that day.

[TBear]

Lennox Lewis was not popular in the US until he'd been retired for awhile and people decided they hated the Klitschkos.

When he was fighting he was negatively compared to Mike Tyson all the time and called a boring jab artist and a safety first heavyweight.

Sound familiar?

The US will never totally accept a non-US heavyweight champion, because of the legacy of America owning the division for so long - until Lewis and the Klitschkos "stole" it from them.

For many people--the more general sports fan, especially--boxing still IS the heavyweight division. That is the difference and the reason why a Pacquiao can become popular there, but a non-US heavyweight really can't.

Foolish post, and Lewis was very popular in the U.S.

[ShoulderRoll]

For many people--the more general sports fan, especially--boxing still IS the heavyweight division. That is the difference and the reason why a Pacquiao can become popular there, but a non-US heavyweight really can't.

Pacquiao became popular because he is exciting and not a boring jab and clinch artist. Perhaps if a non-US heavyweight was equally as exciting as Pacquiao he would become popular here?

[Ulver]

Foolish post, and Lewis was very popular in the U.S.

Not when he was fighting.

He even got booed out of the arena in Los Angeles on the last night of his storied career.

And booed when he returned there as a spectator for the Corrie Sanders vs Vitali Klitschko fight.

Memories are made of this.

He's popular now amongst people who don't like the Klitschkos. Even though many of the same criticisms you hear about the Klitschkos were made about Lewis.

[Ulver]

Pacquiao became popular because he is exciting and not a boring jab and clinch artist. Perhaps if a non-US heavyweight was equally as exciting as Pacquiao he would become popular here?

Well it won't be Fury, then, since he relies heavily on the jab and has only mediocre power.

When I see this mythical non-US heavyweight I'll let you know.

But given the history of the HW division, the person you speak of would have to be very special indeed to totally overcome the prejudices against a non-US champion.