The run-up to Deontay Wilder's split decision fight with Tyson Fury may have helped achieve the "mainstream" breakthrough he was so desperate. Never before, has an American holding the Heavyweight strap achieved so much with so little fanfare - but this fight has seemingly altered his course for the better, for even the casual boxing fan was bewitched by Wilder's otherworldly charisma, and intrigued by his knockout potential.
An American champ of Wilder's quality is exactly what the sport beckoning for. After last night, many of those doubts have been put to rest. Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury reassured their promoters by doubling down on the promotional wheels, to ensure a better-than-average PPV turnout. Their fight was being billed the 2nd most important matchup of 2018, after the Canelo-Golovkin II megafight.
Last usual, Deontay Wilder repaid his fans by enlisting a notable hip-hop for a pre-fight intro. In the past, he had Lil Kim debut her single "Spicy" before a bout with Luis Ortiz. Before that, 50 Cent, a big boxing himself, walked him "down the aisle" to the sounds of "Many Men." Of course, Wilder isn't the only American boxer to dip into the cultural bag for a ringside favor.
This time out, Deontay grabbed Jay Rock in hoping his song "Win" would will him to victory. It didn't, but not for a lack of trying. Check out Jay Rock's horn-assisted rendition of "Win" and look out for the Wilder-Fury rematch when it goes public.
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