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Oleksandr Usyk delivered a graceful and measured display to defeat Derek Chisora in a points victory that underscored his heavyweight credentials.
The former unified cruiserweight world champion moved gracefully and struck beautifully to thwart his British rival in 12 rounds.
An attack in the seventh sent Chisora staggering towards the ropes as Usyk found ways to land while on the move.
Chisora worked hard but had no response and lost 117-112 115-113 115-113.
Right after, Chisora said that he felt he had done enough to beat the Ukrainian, but the BBC 5 Live Boxing team in the ring at Wembley Arena felt that Usyk comfortably deserved the judges’ decision.
Fans were unable to attend a heavyweight fight that was highly anticipated by the clash of styles on offer, but WBA, WBO, and IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua was among those watching from the ring.
With this victory, the 33-year-old Usyk remains the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt of Britain’s Joshua and, while he may not have found the flashy knockout victories that heavyweight fans crave, his skill set is obvious.
The skill, quick feet, and general intelligence that saw him dominate at cruiserweight were on display and while the 36-year-old Chisora was always looking to walk forward and engage, his opponent’s movement ultimately dictated great periods of the fight.
Chisora brought the pressure and badass style he had promised at first when he enjoyed his best period and Usyk, in just his second fight since moving up to heavyweight, staggered after shooting in the first 30 seconds.
Chisora sought to tire her opponent by working her body, while Usyk’s approach was to test her opponent’s stamina with constant movement. At the end of the seventh, a combination seemed to have Chisora in trouble just as the bell ended the round.
Usyk landed a clean left hook in the eighth and, with BBC 5 Live insider Dillian Whyte questioning the guidance Chisora was receiving in his corner, the Brit was unable to unearth the kind of exciting fight that has made him want to. fans in recent years.
While Usyk only gave himself “three out of 10” for the screen, it will certainly be a tricky puzzle to solve in his new weight division.
Usyk wants the world – reaction
The 2012 Olympic champion could now face another Games gold medalist in Joshua if the British boxer still holds the WBO belt in 2021.
When asked if his goal is to remain world heavyweight champion, Usyk replied: “Absolutely. The undisputed world heavyweight champion. Not just world champion.”
“It’s a real test at heavyweight. Chisora is a big guy, a tough guy. I was expecting a fight like that and an even tougher fight.”
A disheartened Chisora, who fell in his 10th loss in 42 starts, felt like he had won and added: “I did a few rounds but was picking up the pace. But the judges saw it differently.
“He did very well. I’m devastated.”
Chisora and Usyk council will learn – analysis
British heavyweight Dillian Whyte on BBC Radio 5 Live:
Usyk has a pedigree and moves well, so of course he can be a force. I don’t see anything where I think ‘wow, this is crazy’. It’s a good engine, that’s all.
I don’t know what advice they were giving Chisora. I don’t know what was happening.
BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello:
“I made Usyk an emphatic winner based on his much cleaner shots. Chisora got off to a good start and succeeded with her plan to stay close to Usyk in the early rounds. Halfway through, however, Chisora’s aggression it had lessened and became energetic rather than effective, as Usyk received many blows to the arms and gloves.
“Dillian Whyte joined us in commenting on the fight and dismissed Usyk as a force in the heavyweight division. But being the type of character that he is, Usyk will have learned from this experience, his first real test as a heavyweight. “.
‘The right man won’ – reaction
Former super middleweight world champion George Groves: He had it 9-3 Usyk. He felt like he took his foot off the gas when he didn’t get Chisora out of there after the big seventh round. He waited for Chisora’s latest attack to come and pass, but I didn’t feel like pushing for an early finish. However, great victory.
Olympic gold medalist Audley Harrison: Good, good fight – Derek fought with all his heart and did his best to bring down Usyk … a classic boxer against slugger duel, but the right man won. But we salute Chisora for digging deep and having such a strong performance.
Former world title challenger Paul Smith Jr: He had it 9-3 Usyk. Unfortunately, Chisora did what many fighters do against elite fighters and started in fourth gear. Brave and very good effort from Chisora, tough as old boots and great moves for a heavyweight.
