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Oleksandr Usyk outpointed veteran contender Derek Chisora in a heavyweight battle Saturday at Wembley; answered questions about his ability to beat the best heavyweights; Usyk is Anthony Joshua’s mandatory WBO belt challenger
Last Updated: 11/01/20 12:19 am
Oleksandr Usyk outpointed Derek Chisora on points
Oleksandr Usyk passed his first major test in the heavyweight division by beating Derek Chisora and winning their high stakes clash by unanimous decision on Saturday night.
Ukraine’s undefeated Olympic gold medalist and undisputed cruiserweight champion answered questions about his natural size by showing off his electric footwork and crisp punching precision against Chisora at the SSE Arena, Wembley.
Usyk remains the mandatory WBO challenger for Anthony Joshua, who watched from the ring and who he intends to fight in 2021.
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Usyk is now undefeated in 18 pro fights
Chisora piled forward from the opening bell and her rough tactics had reddened Usyk’s body before the end of the first round.
Usyk’s accuracy showed when he pinged an early left hand, but Chisora didn’t budge and continued to enter.
Though Chisora did deliver occasional punches, Usyk’s steady movement began to increase in the second round and the Ukrainian’s right-handed left hand found its home more and more often.
Chisora’s newly discovered engine under the direction of manager David Haye was completely necessary: after three or four rounds he had covered a substantial distance simply by chasing his elusive opponent.
Usyk, similar to his fight with Tony Bellew, was in control of the pace of the fight in his middle stage.
Usyk’s footwork and skill were on display against Chisora
A violent assault by Usyk nearly wiped out Chisora’s resistance in the seventh round – he scored it first with a right hook, then an additional flurry that sent the British veteran staggering back against the ropes.
Chisora’s work rate was admirable and she enjoyed the occasional moment of success, but the punishment inflicted by Usyk’s quick and clinical fists was increasing.
Usyk was kept honest by a flurry of hard-hitting punches from Chisora in the ninth round, a reminder of the size and weight disadvantage the Ukrainian will always find himself at in the heavyweight division.
Chisora is a veteran of brutal fights with Vitali Klitschko, Tyson Fury (twice), Kubrat Pulev, Dillian Whyte (twice) and Carlos Takam, but the move he faced from Usyk was a unique test that he did not shy away from.
Usyk passed his first major heavyweight test
Usyk was forced to work hard in the final three rounds to secure his 18th professional win: Chisora, undeterred and still ambitious, continued his relentless attempt to crush his smooth-moving rival to the bitter end.
But Usyk, praised for his skill, took the judges’ scorecards (117-112, 115-113, 115-113) and showed why he plans to challenge Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Joshua will defend his IBF, WBA and WBO titles against Kubrat Pulev on December 12, live Sky Sports ticket office, a week after Fury’s homecoming fight.
Joshua and Fury plan to decide an undisputed champion next year, but Usyk is now a serious contender for his belts.
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