Chisora vs Usyk: Oleksandr Usyk ready to prove he can share the stage with the biggest...

[ASFN Admin]

Unbeaten Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk will take the opportunity with both hands to prove he can inhabit the same stage as the leaders of boxing's heavyweight division when he faces Derek Chisora on Saturday night. Usyk dominated and unified the entire cruiserweight division in 16 professional fights after winning Olympic gold in London, but the clever, southpaw fighter has the biggest fighting men in his sights. Chisora, arguably more ambitious now aged 36 and in much better shape - mentally and physically - than when he went twelve rounds with Vitali Klitschko for a world title eight years ago, is the perfect opponent at the perfect time. Victory would bring huge spoils for both men. Victory would propel Chisora back into contention for world title challenges. A statement win, such as knockout, for Usyk, would make him the talk of the heavyweight town, and make him a gunslinger with fists in the same conversations with the likes of the current champions, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, plus Deontay Wilder. Indeed, the WBO - the belt Joshua holds - have already made Usyk, by dint of his success in the division below, their mandatory challenger to the belt. Promoter Eddie Hearn insisted today that the contest had to go ahead in spite of the no crowd. "This was an event that was supposed to happen in May in front of 17,000 people at The O2 Arena, but we have built something very special here. It is one of the biggest pound for pound stars in the sport in Oleksander Usyk, already the mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua's world title with the WBO, against Derek Chisora who has had a great second wind in the sport of boxing. He's on a great run with big wins over Takam and David Price."

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