Heavyweight Challenge
Tonight’s Heavyweight Main Event between Oleksandr Usyk (18-0, 13 Kos) and Dereck Chisora (32-10, 23 Kos) at the SSE Arena at Wembley wasn’t pretty but definitely a tougher challenge this time around for Usyk.
Dereck came out the gate aggressive pouring some heavy punches that caught Usyk off guard and had him back peddling trying to figure Chisora out for the first three rounds. Dereck spent a lot of energy trying to slow Usyk down in the early rounds and actually had some success with his approach but as the rounds wore on Usyk started to box and move and connecting on Chisora with some very good accuracy.
Chisora continued to press the action as much as he could but Usyk’s style and movement was definitely giving Chisora issues that caused his output to slow down. Tonight, Usyk was unquestionably in a tough bout but was still able touch up his opponent at will.
Chisora stood his ground as much as he could but simply couldn’t keep up with the movement and the output that Usyk was using to tire him out. As the later rounds creeped up Dereck became lazy and sluggish which made it easier for Usyk to dominate the later rounds in a stronger fashion.
After 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 117-112, 115-113, 115-113 in favor of Oleksandr Usyk.
Personally, this wasn’t Usyk’s best outing to date but for only his second fight at Heavyweight, Oleksandr has showed signs of being able to hang with the Big Boys.
With this win Oleksandr moves one step closer to a WBO mandatory showdown with IBF/IBO/WBO/WBA Super Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 Kos).
Can’t wait to see them two duke it out inside that squared circle. Until then, congratulations Oleksandr on your latest victory.
Blaze