DERECK CHISORA faces Oleksandr Usyk in what could be his last chance saloon as he strives to earn a heavyweight title shot.
Former undisputed cruiserweight king Usyk will put his WBO mandatory shot at Anthony Joshua’s belt on the line when he travels to the O2 Arena to face Chisora.
It promises to be a classic battle of boxer vs banger, in a year which has already provided several upsets.
A win for Chisora, 36, will cap off a remarkable career turnaround and set up a unification fight with close friend AJ, 30.
But if Usyk, 33, remains unbeaten, he will emerge as the next heavyweight on the block – here SunSport details how the two match up.
Chisora
The Londoner only had around 20 amateur fights, which included winning the 2006 ABA super-heavyweight title while representing Finchley ABC alongside Joshua.
He turned pro in 2007 and built his way up to title contention with 14 wins until he was upset by a 23-year-old Tyson Fury.
It did not halt Chisora’s momentum as a year later he challenged Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title, losing on points by pushing the Ukrainian all the way.
The fight is more memorable for a post-fight brawl between Chisora and David Haye – now his manager – which resulted in a grudge match between the two.
Haye won by knockout but Chisora went on to win five more before again losing against future champion Fury.
Seven fights later, the fan-favourite had a thriller over 12 rounds with Dillian Whyte, which he lost by narrow split-decision.
The rivalry helped elevate Chisora’s status and in 2018 he scored a KO of the year contender against Carlos Takam to set up a rematch with Whyte – which he would lose in round 11.
Under Haye, ‘War’ – who was formerly known as simply ‘Del Boy’ – has enjoyed an Indian summer in his career, with three consecutive wins to earn his crack at Usyk.
Dereck Chisora has won his last three to set up his fight with Oleksandr Usyk Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Usyk
The southpaw star excelled as an amateur, winning European, world and Olympic gold, finishing his career in the unpaid ranks with 335−15 record.
Usyk made his pro debut in 2013 and like his friend and countrymen Vasyl Lomachenko – who won a world title in his THIRD fight – the cruiserweight set out to win belts early.
Within ten bouts he won the WBO title, beating Krzysztof Glowacki on points.
He would make just two successful defences – against Thabiso Mchunu and then Michael Hunter – before entering the World Boxing Super Series tournament.
By the end of the three-round knockout competition, Usyk had beaten Marco Huck, Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev to walk away with the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO undisputed titles.
He would defend them just once, in Manchester as he KO’d Tony Bellew in round seven before marking his move up to heavyweight.
Usyk beat Chazz Witherspoon by stoppage after seven rounds last year, but failed to make a mega impact as he piled on the pounds.
But per the WBO’s rules, after the champion stepped up, he was immediately put in the mandatory position.
Ukrainian Usyk reigned as undisputed cruiserweight champion Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Fight breakdown
Usyk has cemented himself as a pound-for-pound star due to his achievements in the ring, and his footwork and punch variety has proved unparalleled to anyone in and around his weight.
Bellew admitted he was mentally exhausted after seven rounds of constant pressure Usyk can apply.
But the mistake the former WBC champ made was trying to outbox the Ukrainian.
Chisora – who said he will try to ‘bum rush’ Usyk – will have to do what he does best and walk forward, closing the space, before firing off in close.
Mairis Briedis was able to do the same and took it to Usyk and fought back, with one judge scoring their fight a draw.
Usyk travels to London to face heavyweight Chisora Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Chisora must try and use his size and weight advantage to create an opening to fire a right hook over the guard.
But Usyk is favoured in the fight for a reason, and could well find it easy to pick off Chisora and dance around him.
He also has a very fast rear left hand which could become a harder and more telling shot once his opponent tires.
Alexander Povetkin’s KO against Dillian Whyte proves veteran punchers like Chisora cannot be counted out – but Usyk has everything he needs to stick and move to a points victory or late stoppage.
That is not to discredit Chisora, who is improving with age, he just happens to be coming up against one of the best in the world.
Eddie Hearn reveals hilarious story of ‘s***ting himself’ when Chisora made move to attack him on A League of Their Own
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
