So compared to past U.S. heavyweights... Wilder's not very popular in the U.S. Why?

[Freedom]

Wilder has been more carefully matched than any heavyweight titleholder in history.

He chose soft opponents like Szpilka and Washington while avoiding decent heavyweight contenders like Takam, Parker, Breazeale, Whyte, Povetkin, and Klitschko. He avoided Ortiz until he saw Ortiz was fading with age.

He knows Fury isn't ready, so that's why he's fighting him now. Before Fury was sick and obese, Wilder avoided him too.

I hate the way Wilder lies about who is avoiding who when it comes to Joshua-Wilder. He knows he's no match for Joshua, who is a bona fide top heavyweight.

[El Kabong]

I hate the way Wilder lies about who is avoiding who when it comes to Joshua-Wilder. He knows he's no match for Joshua, who is a bona fide top heavyweight.

I respect both of those guys but I wouldn't consider myself a fan of either. That said, he's making a play for the big money jackpot fight and there's 0 wrong with that from his standpoint. Will he be competitive vs Fury or AJ? Only one way to find out. But he's going to make sure he gets money and as well he should!

[TitoFan]

I hate the way Wilder lies about who is avoiding who when it comes to Joshua-Wilder. He knows he's no match for Joshua, who is a bona fide top heavyweight.

I respect both of those guys but I wouldn't consider myself a fan of either. That said, he's making a play for the big money jackpot fight and there's 0 wrong with that from his standpoint. Will he be competitive vs Fury or AJ? Only one way to find out. But he's going to make sure he gets money and as well he should!

BTW, I omitted a very important reason in the poll and I believe you nailed it. For the longest time the guy fought in frigging Alabama!!! I struggle to find the common sense in that. Then he finally graduates to Barclays Center in Brooklyn..... and then inexplicably schedules his next fight in Staples Center in L.A. I don't get it.

[El Kabong]

I hate the way Wilder lies about who is avoiding who when it comes to Joshua-Wilder. He knows he's no match for Joshua, who is a bona fide top heavyweight.

I respect both of those guys but I wouldn't consider myself a fan of either. That said, he's making a play for the big money jackpot fight and there's 0 wrong with that from his standpoint. Will he be competitive vs Fury or AJ? Only one way to find out. But he's going to make sure he gets money and as well he should!

BTW, I omitted a very important reason in the poll and I believe you nailed it. For the longest time the guy fought in frigging Alabama!!! I struggle to find the common sense in that. Then he finally graduates to Barclays Center in Brooklyn..... and then inexplicably schedules his next fight in Staples Center in L.A. I don't get it.

You get a guy like Arturo Gatti who was brilliant to watch but was by no means the greatest ever but he had a rabid fan following because he kept having battles at ATLANTIC CITY and in New York which built his fanbase in that geographic area.

Out of 49 total fights Gatti fought 41 of his fights in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut and 3 times in Pennsylvania....so 44 times out of 49 in the Northeastern US...it built him a big fanbase because those are boxing hotspots.


Alabama is college football territory

[boyla]

He isn't exactly a champion.

[El Kabong]

He isn't exactly a champion.

He's got a belt sooooo......

[Slim the BoxingManiac]

Wilder absolutely decimates Joshua if they meet.

Which is why Joshua wants nothing to do with him.