Oleksandr Usyk outfought Derek Chisora to pass his first major test in the heavyweight division and won their high-stakes clash via unanimous decision on Saturday night.
The Ukrainian displayed his electric footwork and razor-sharp punch accuracy against Chisora and answered doubts about his natural size at The SSE Arena, Wembley.
Usyk remains the WBO mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua, who watched from ringside, and who he intends to fight in 2021.
Chisora, who is known for his roughhouse tactics, piled pressure on Usyk from the opening bell and had reddened the Ukrainian’s body before the end of the first round.
However, Usyk was more precise and accurate with his punches as he pinged in an early left hand but Chisora wasn’t rattled and continued wading in.
Chisora also occasional landed clubbing blows but Usyk’s constant movement started to ratchet up in the second round and the skilful Ukrainian’s solid left hand found landed perfectly more and more often.
Chisora covered a substantial distance just by chasing his elusive opponent after three or four rounds.
Usyk, just as he did during his fight with Tony Bellew, controlled the fight’s rhythm by its halfway stage. A vicious assault from Usyk almost ended Chisora’s resistance in the seventh round.
The Ukrainian clocked him first with a right hook, then a further flurry that caused the British veteran to stagger back into the ropes.
Chisora’s work-rate was admirable and it was all thanks to his veteran boxer coach, David Haye. He also enjoyed odd moments of success but the punishment dished out by Usyk’s swift and clinical fists increased.
Chisora also enjoyed himself in the ninth round, landing a burst of bludgeoning punches to keep Usyk at bay. It also served as a reminder of the weight and size disadvantage that the Ukrainian will always find himself at in the heavyweight division.
And Usyk was forced to work hard in the final three rounds to secure his 18th professional victory as he took the judges’ scorecards (117-112, 115-113, 115-113) and demonstrated why he plans on challenging Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Anthony Joshua will next face Kubrat Pulev in a bid to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO titles on 12 December, a week after Fury’s homecoming fight.
9 thoughts on “Boxing: Oleksandr Usyk defeats Derek Chisora in their heavyweight fight as Anthony Joshua watches”