OLEKSANDER Usyk is intent on sending a chilling message of intent to British heavyweight world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua on Saturday night when he headlines at Wembley Arena.
The 17-0 Ukrainian takes on his first real test at heavyweight in the shape of fan favourite, perennial contender and 41-fight veteran Dereck Chisora. As the leading contender for AJ’s WBO belt, a sensational finish on UK soil will bring Usyk’s designs on becoming a two-weight world champion one step closer.
Utterly dominant at cruiserweight, Usyk, 33, is being billed as the biggest threat to the reigns of the two current heavyweight champions. But in warhorse Chisora has meets a man well-versed in facing adversity, biting down on his gumshield and coming out swinging.
When Usyk stepped onto the podium to receive his gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games in August 2012, Chisora was at the first of many crossroads in his colourful career.
Standard @usykaa interview from the bubble now available at @matchroomboxing YouTube #usykchisora @skysportsboxing @daznboxing pic.twitter.com/BMgR6jsi6Z
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) October 26, 2020
After picking up the British and Commonwealth titles during a 14-0 campaign, ‘Del Boy’ stumbled into a 1-4 run of results which included domestic defeats to Tyson Fury and David Haye, either side of a failed world title chance to Vitali Klitschko.
He won 10 of his next 11, losing again to Fury in between, then went 4-4 with two failed European title fights and two defeats to domestic rival Dillian Whyte. The first on a spit decision in Manchester, and then when he was knocked out in the 11th round when ahead on two judges’ scorecards in 2018.
The 36-year-old has gone 3-0 since, knocking out Artur Spilka and David Price consecutively on Box Office undercards, but this will be volatile Chisora’s first headline spot since the Whyte return, and his history in big main events doesn’t make for positive reading.
The spotlight more often than not shines a little too bright for Chisora. All nine of his career defeats have arrived when he was the main event of a big televised card. In fact, he’s only ever won twice as an event headliner – both inside the space of four months on lesser Frank Warren shows, and in fights he was placed to win against Ondrej Pala and Kevin Johnson.
Chisora is value for money pay-per-view, even if he’s accustomed to the role of intrepid loser.
‘Box Office’ is certainly a phrase that’s a fitting moniker to describe Usyk too. One of the finest prizefighters on the planet, the fleet footed, hard hitting Ukrainian is top 5 pound-for-pound, built on his supremacy in the cruiserweight division.
He became only the fourth man in history to unify all four world title belts in one weight class in 2018 when he won the World Boxing Super Series tournament final in his 15th fight, and rubber-stamped his reign with a skilled defence of all the belts against a great version of Tony Bellew.
Chisora knows he’s got to close the distance and let his hands go in range to have any success, but that’s a dangerous game against a fast combination puncher like Usyk. Realistically, he’s got three rounds to land something momentous.
If not, the veteran is going to find himself in the cross-hairs of a truly tremendous champion with a point to prove. Expect this to turn into a one-sided beating long before the referee or corner step in to save Chisora from himself after 7–10 rounds.
Latest odds: Usyk (1/10) Draw (33/1) Chisora (11/2)
Method: Usyk by KO, TKO, or DQ (19/20), Usyk on points (13/10), Chisora by KO, TKO, or DQ (6/1), Chisora on points (22/1)
Tip: Usyk by KO, TKO, or DQ (19/20), Usyk to win in Rounds 7-9 is 4/1.
For all our current Usyk vs Chisora odds, click here.
