While Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans will dominate the headlines of this weekend's fight action, flying quietly under the radar will be WBC Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko's (39-2, 37 KO) title defense against little-known Albert Sosnowski (45-2-1, 27 KO). Sosnowski, who is ranked number 11 by the World Boxing Council, is hardly worthy of a title shot, but Klitschko shouldn't be to blame for the general lack of American interest in this fight. Number one contender Odlanier Solis has earned his ranking feasting on the names of B and C-level contenders of yesteryear in the ring, and on boliche and croquetas outside of it. His presence likely wouldn't do much to help this bout's potential appeal. Number 2 contender Nikolay Valuev already priced himself out of the fight and recently lost to David Haye following boring decisions over Evander Holyfield and John Ruiz.
Despite the emergence of Tomasz Adamek, who most believe isn't built to handle a Klitschko, and David Haye, who seems reluctant to share the ring with either of the Ukrainian giants, the much-maligned Heavyweight division has taken its share of criticism due to its lack of depth in challengers to the throne. Another title-worthy contender, Alexander Povetkin hasn't yet made a splash in the United States, while the other recognizable Heavyweight, Chris Arreola, has belly-flopped on the big stage.
Vitali's younger brother Wladimir had his last fight against American challenger Eddie Chambers turned away by HBO for lack of interest. Now that it seems clear that WBA champion David Haye has passed on a unification bout, Wladimir will likely look to long-time IBF mandatory challenger Povetkin. I would say that it's a crap shoot whether or not HBO opts to air this bout.
Tomorrow, Vitali will be relegated to foreign pay-per-view distribution due to a completely unknown dance partner. The fact that the consensus numbers 1 and 2 champions can't get American television coverage is a clear and obvious sign that the Heavyweight division has sunk to an all-time low. And the sad part is I see the bottom sinking a bit lower now that David Haye opted to pass on the chance to fight Wladimir. Until either Adamek or Haye step up to the challenge and make things more interesting, we're left with what is sure to be an easy win and another impressive knockout for Vitali Klitschko.