The upcoming fight between IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and WBC champ Tyson Fury has generated a lot of buzz, but the undercard lineup has left many fans underwhelmed. The general consensus is that the undercard lacks depth and is relying heavily on one standout fight, with the rest feeling like filler material.
While there are a few matchups on the undercard that have piqued some interest, such as Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis II, Joe Cordina vs. Anthony Cacace, and Agit Kabayel vs. Frank Sanchez, the overall lineup fails to excite. The inclusion of 41-year-old Sergey Kovalev facing off against an unknown opponent, Robin Sirwan Safar, has particularly drawn criticism for being an unnecessary addition.
Promoter Frank Warren has come to the defense of the undercard, claiming that it is a great lineup with several fights that could easily headline their own event. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that only a handful of fights have the potential to carry a main event status.
The Opetaia vs. Briedis rematch, touted as a potential main event, seems unnecessary given Briedis’ age and lack of recent activity. Furthermore, the other two notable fights, Sanchez vs. Kabayel and Cordina vs. Cacace, while solid matchups, fall short of being headline-worthy in a major boxing market like the U.S.
Anthony Cacace, in particular, has faced criticism for his lackluster opposition and relatively low ranking. With a history of underwhelming performances, Cacace’s inclusion as a headlining fight raises doubts about the overall quality of the undercard.
While the Fury-Usyk main event promises to be a thrilling encounter, the undercard fails to deliver the same level of excitement and intrigue. With questionable matchups, underwhelming credentials, and limited star power, the undercard of this highly anticipated event leaves much to be desired for boxing fans.