It seems Wlad's fight with Jennings has been overshadowed by the big one

Heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, the dominant star of what was once the sport's most glamorous division, is struggling to get attention for his New York title defence Saturday.

Seldom is the 1.98m Ukraine giant dwarfed by anything, but the huge interest in next week's long-awaited welterweight showdown between Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten US star Floyd Mayweather has turned Klitschko's first US bout since 2008 into an afterthought.

The fight isn't a sellout at Madison Square Garden, where Britain's Lennox Lewis and American Evander Holyfield staged a heavyweight showdown for an undisputed crown in 1999 that ended in a controversial draw.

And Klitschko, despite huge success, has not captivated US fight fans.

"Confused is what it's all about," says former heavyweight champion George Foreman of Klitschko's place in boxing history.

"Klitschko has had a good career. He hasn't been invited into the picture into the United States.

"It doesn't seem like there is anyone around who can beat him. It's going to take someone very special to dethrone Klitschko."

Pacquiao-Mayweather shadow looms over Klitschko - Emirates 24|7