Former cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) made his heavyweight debut in 2019 against late replacement American Chazz Witherspoon. Then the ex-heavyweight passed the British top gatekeeper Derek Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) with some problems, and last year he took the WBA Super, IBF and WBO titles from the Englishman Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs).
Fans and experts were surprised by the fact that it was more difficult to box with Chisora Usyk than with Joshua.
Explains Ukrainian promoter Oleksandr Krasyuk (K2 Promotions): “Yes. And so it was. I agree 100%. This can be partly explained by the fact that Usyk went into the fight with Chisora not in optimal condition. I mean his endurance. And he also had some injuries that were not fully healed. That’s the main reason why he didn’t feel very comfortable in the ring.”
Krasyuk also pays tribute to the underdog: “In no case should one underestimate the contribution of Chisora to the fact that the fight turned out to be so competitive. He didn’t just do great. He was preparing for Usyk and managed to surprise him with some innovations: he changed stances, started attacks with a left-hander, doubling with a jab. It was really very unexpected. We realized how seriously he approached the preparation for the fight.
The K2 boss agrees that “the fight turned out to be unexpectedly competitive. The judges scored 115-113 in favor of Usyk. That is an advantage of one round. It means only one thing. Derek knows how to box. This guy knows how to fight…
Tomorrow Chisora will try to take away the WBC title from compatriot Tyson Fury. Usyk will be in the ringside. The champion from Ukraine has two goals: to support Denis Berinchyk’s sidekick, who will try to take away the title of European champion from the Frenchman Ivan Mendy, and to agree on a duel for the title of absolute world champion.
Berinchik – Mendy: the metamorphosis of a gnome – battle show
Predictions:
Tyson Fury – Derek Chisora
Ivan Mendy – Denis Berinchyk