Oleksandr Usyk outboxes Chisora on his way to points victory- Review
Oleksandr Usyk outboxed and out manoeuvred Derek Chisora on his way to a unanimous decision victory in his first stern test in the Heavyweight division.
Chisora, true to his word, applied the pressure from the first bell and looked to back up Usyk whilst unloading heavy looping punches.
But Usyk worked out the Briton’s game plan and adapted well. The slick Urkainian boxer began to use his footwork and counter with precise jabs and hooks all the while moving out of the way of Chisora’s casting shots.
As the fight progressed, Usyk continued to grow into the contest peppering Chisora and asserted himself in the contest.
It was the seventh round where Usyk cemented his control on the fight. A beautiful combination staggered and wobbled Chisora. Usyk tried to capitalise but the end of the round scuppered his chance of stopping the fight.
Usyk continued to box and outpointed Chisora. The judges scored the contest in favour of the undefeated Ukrainian with one judge scoring the contest 117-112 and the other two scoring in 115-113.
Usyk’s movement, IQ and boxing ability neutralised the pressure that Chisora tried to impose on him in the fight.
Chisora believed that he had done enough to win and that the pressure he applied put him in firm control of the fight. "I gave a few rounds away but I was pushing the pace. But the judges saw it a different way.
"He did very well. I am gutted.” He said post fight.
This win for Usyk means that he retains his mandatory status for Anthony Joshua’s WBO belt. But the bigger positive for Usyk is that this fight showed that he belongs in the heavyweight division. Chisora was a true heavyweight who has campaigned at the weight his entire career and thus a victory and strong performance over a very credible opponent in the division.
"It is a real test at heavyweight. Chisora is a big guy, a hard guy. I was expecting the fight like that and an even tougher fight." Usyk told reporters post fight.
Despite many around ringside being impressed with his boxing ability and the way he controlled the fight, Usyk was not impressed with his performance. He only rated his performance “3 out of 10”.
But there is no doubt that he will pose a threat and a unique puzzle for the established heavyweights to solve. His size, speed, unique style and boxing IQ will be difficult for many heavyweights to contend with.
What Next?
When asked about his future plans and what he wants to achieve in the heavyweight division, Usyk said with no hesitation or doubt that he plans to become World Heavyweight Champion. "Absolutely. The undisputed world heavyweight champion. Not just world champion.”
Usyk will have to wait for the outcome of Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev and then potentially wait for the conclusion of the undisputed fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury which has been verbally agreed for 2021.
