June 6th 2024.
Oleksandr Usyk, the unbeaten Ukrainian boxer, has faced off against some of the toughest punchers in the sport. As he reflects on his past opponents, he names Derek Chisora as the most powerful puncher he has ever encountered, even ahead of big names like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Usyk solidified his position as the number one heavyweight in the world after his recent victory over Fury in Saudi Arabia, earning the title of undisputed world champion. Before moving up to the heavyweight division in 2019, the 37-year-old held the title of undisputed world champion in the cruiserweight category.
His first major test in the heavyweight division came against former world title challenger Derek Chisora, whom he defeated via a unanimous decision. This win ultimately led to a world title fight against Joshua, whom he defeated twice before taking on another British boxer, Daniel Dubois, in 2020. While Joshua and Dubois are known for their strong punches, Usyk reveals that it was Chisora's power that he feared the most.
In an interview with the Three Knockdown Rule podcast, Usyk admits that his fight against Fury was his toughest, but it was Chisora's punch that left the biggest impact on him. He recalls one punch that landed on his gloves and felt like a "baseball bat."
Usyk and Chisora previously squared off in the ring five years ago. However, a rematch between the two has been confirmed for December 21st. Despite this, the champion is also considering a return to the cruiserweight division before he retires.
Usyk's journey to becoming the undisputed world champion in the cruiserweight division included wins against Krzysztof Glowacki and Mairis Briedis, before unifying the division with a victory over Murat Gassiev. He then defended his four belts against British boxer Tony Bellew in 2018.
In regards to his future plans, Usyk shares that he may return to the cruiserweight division after his rematch with Fury. He explains that constantly consuming food during training is difficult for him, and he wants to pursue becoming the undisputed champion in that weight category for a second time.
A return to the cruiserweight division could potentially lead to matchups against more British fighters, such as Chris Billam-Smith, who currently holds the WBO title. Additionally, a highly anticipated showdown with Australian boxer Jai Opetaia, who recently reclaimed the IBF title on the undercard of Fury's fight, is also a possibility.
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