Usyk vs Chisora Preview
Oleksandr Usyk will face his first major test at Heavyweight when he faces Derek Chisora on Saturday October 31st.
Usyk moved up to heavyweight after beating Tony Bellew and becoming the undisputed World Cruiserweight Champion. His first fight at heavyweight was a routine victory against Chazz Witherspoon but Chisora will pose his first proper test in the Heavyweight division.
Usyk who has won all 17 of his professional bouts has a glittering amateur career which saw him claim gold at the 2012 Olympics in London. His amateur credentials have served him well in the professional ranks which his boxing IQ and technical ability being well revered.
The Ukranian heavyweight challenger has made no secrete of his plans to use his boxing ability to avoid the power and pressure of Chisora. A win will seem him retain his mandatory status for Anthony Joshua’s WBO belt.
However, Derek ‘War’ Chisora will be his biggest test in the Heavyweight division thus far. The pressure and power that Chisora has exhibited over his career will pose an immediate danger to Usyk’s undefeated record.
Chisora has vowed to put him under pressure and make this fight difficult for the enigmatic Ukrainian from the first bell. "Mentally, physically, there's nothing he can do which is going to stop me,
"I am so fired up. No fighter is prepared to go where I like to go. I like to go to the other side. I like to sit down in the corner and when you feel like you have nothing left to give and then you give more and more and more - that's the other side." He told BBC Sport’s 5 Live Boxing Podcast.
His former opponent and now manager David Haye believes that Derek Chisora is fully motivated and ready to cause an upset. "The first year it was a lot of new programmes, a new way of living his life, like where he sleeps, what food he eats and the strength and conditioning.
"It's taken a year and a half until he's said 'OK, I'll do exactly what you guys want'.
"We are going to see a mega upset. Not one news outlet or expert doesn't have Usyk in their top 10 pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. I need them to remember that when Derek knocks this guy out.
"Usyk will not be able to deal with the type of pressure and heat that Chisora brings to the table on Saturday. We know Derek can absorb punishment. How much punishment can Usyk take?" David Haye told BBC’s 5Live Boxing Podcast.
For both fighters this is a difficult fight, Chisora has historically struggled with southpaw fighters over the course of his career. Usyk’s stance and style combined with his boxing IQ and technical ability will make this a particularly difficult fight for Chisora. And Chisora will look to put his Ukrainian opponent under pressure and will look to make the large weight discrepancy work in his favour. Usyk has never fought anybody will the pressure and power of Chisora and this will provide a major test early on in his Heavyweight career.
