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Usyk vs. Chisora Confirmed For October 31
Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk will finally
face British favourite Derek Chisora on Saturday October 31,
live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US,
after their original May 23 date was postponed due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) made the move to Heavyweight after
dominating at Cruiserweight, ending his extraordinary spell
at 200lbs as the Undisputed king with a phenomenal run of
victories in his opponents' backyard against Marco Huck,
Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew.
The 2012 Olympic Gold medallist began his assault on the
Heavyweight division by retiring Chazz Witherspoon in seven
rounds at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago last October and
continues his bid to become a two-weight World Champion when
he faces an in-form Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs).
Former World Title challenger Chisora scored a devastating
second round knockout over Poland’s Artur Szpilka at The O2
in July 2019, a year on from his incredible eighth round KO
win against Carlos Takam at the same venue, before blitzing
fellow Brit David Price in four rounds in October 2019.
The Finchley powerhouse, who is guided by former two-weight
World Champion David Haye, has lofty ambitions of his own
and is planning on giving Usyk nightmares in his first real
test in boxing's glamour division as he looks to pull off
what would be one of the best wins by a Brit in recent
years.
“I have really missed boxing,” said Usyk. “I am working hard
in my training camp to show a spectacular performance on
October 31. I expect a real test in Derek - he is strong,
tough and resilient. He is a really big guy and he hits
hard.
“As a Cruiserweight, I reached the highest heights as
Undisputed Champion and now I am following the same path as
a Heavyweight. I need to test myself against world class
Heavyweights on my new road to Undisputed and Derek stands
in front of me.
“Many people say that Derek is a monster, but deep down he
is a kind man. I don’t expect to see that good side of him.
I know that he wants to break me, but I am water, wind and
fire all together. Derek Chisora, I am coming for you!"
"Helllllo, Usyk, I’m ready for you, helllllo Usyk!," said
Chisora. "Usyk, I’ve been ready for you all year. It’s my
home turf and after such a tough year for everyone, I’m
going to give the British public the Halloween party they
deserve and finally get revenge for my boy Tony Bellew!"
"Yesterday’s news from the Government was a kick in the
nuts, so to bounce back with this fight at this time is so
important for boxing," said promoter Eddie Hearn. "You’ve
either got to sit back and say 'it’s not possible' or find a
way to make it happen, and I’ve got to say a big thanks to
Team Usyk, 'Del Boy' and David Haye for staying patient and
helping get this over the line.
"It’s an absolute firecracker and a fight that’s so
important to the Heavyweight division over the next few
months. We saw a stunning victory from Povetkin recently to
shake up the mandatory situation, can WAR Chisora spring the
upset and KO the undefeated Undisputed World Champ? I know
he will do everything he can to try and get the victory and
this will be another night of Heavyweight drama!"
“Oleksandr Usyk versus Derek Chisora is one of the most
anticipated fights in the Heavyweight division,” said
Alexander Krassyuk, General Director of K2 Promotions. “The
fight was originally scheduled to take place in May, but I
can assure boxing fans around the world that it will be
worth the wait.
"Usyk is under huge pressure. He has to prove himself as a
true Heavyweight, while Chisora has nothing to lose and is
always dangerous. It will be a violent and bloody battle. I
cannot wait to see them finally collide in the ring on
October 31.”
"I see this fight with Usyk as the perfect opportunity for
Derek to gate crash the world top 5," said David Haye of
Hayemaker Promotions. "He’s a massive underdog, with very
few experts picking him to cause the upset. But I know
something they don’t, I know Derek has the size, the chin
and more importantly the heart to walk through hell to get
this win.
"Derek cancelled his last family Christmas holiday in
preparation for this very fight, and as a result has spent
the best part of a year improving his boxing IQ, and
building a relentless engine, he is ready to step in the
ring with Usyk and wage WAR. The world will be shocked at
what Halloween havoc Chisora brings to the party."
Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said:
“We’re very excited to announce the rescheduled date for
Oleksandr Usyk versus Derek Chisora, an intriguing
Heavyweight showdown with plenty at stake!
“Ukrainian star Usyk has already showcased his sublime
skills on these shores in that dramatic battle with Tony
Bellew, while Derek Chisora has rejuvenated his career since
teaming up with his former foe David Haye.
“A potential fight with Unified Champion Anthony Joshua is
already within Usyk’s grasp, but Chisora has big ambitions
of his own, and with Haye by his side, could we see the
battle-hardened Brit pull off a stunning upset? Usyk against
Chisora has all the ingredients for a Heavyweight classic!”
Tickets purchased for the postponed event at The O2 in
London on Saturday May 23 will be refunded. Please contact
your point of purchase if you have any queries.
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