Oleksandr Usyk is the heavy favourite when he returns to the ring against Dereck Chisora on Oct. 31, but he must show a new side of his game at the professional level to emerge with his unbeaten record intact.
Usyk has been unstoppable so far since turning pro, unifying the cruiserweight division before stepping up to heavyweight with a seventh-round retirement of Chazz Witherspoon last October.
His progress at the maximum weight class, however, has been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has delayed a showdown with former world heavyweight championship challenger Chisora until now.
The aggressive persistence of Chisora should deliver a good measure of Usyk's capabilities in a division headed by the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, and championship fights should await Usyk in 2021 if he avoids the banana skin wrapped in a Union Jack bandana.
“On October 31st, Oleksandr Usyk is going to get the fright of his life. War!” said Chisora to Matchroom Boxing. “I remember watching ESPN a long time ago, and what’s his name said, ‘If he’s a good manager, he shouldn’t put you in with southpaws.’ Guess what?
“I’ve boxed three southpaws since I’ve been with David Haye. Oleksandr is a good fighter. He’s loved by English fans and those who love boxing and don’t know boxing. Plus, he’s fighting myself. So there’s nothing bad about this fight."
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Dereck Chisora fight date, start time
- Date: Saturday Oct. 31
- Time: 6 p.m. GMT/2 p.m. EST
- Main event: 10 p.m. GMT/6 p.m. EST
The Usyk-Chisora coverage begins from 6 p.m. GMT/1 p.m. EST, with main event ring walks anticipated sometime shortly after 10 p.m. GMT/6 p.m. EST depending on how long the undercard runs.
Usyk vs. Chisora TV channel, live stream
- U.S.: DAZN
- U.K.: Sky Sports Box Office
The card can be purchsed in the U.K for £19.95 on Sky Sports Box Office, and is viewable via a DAZN subscription in all nine DAZN markets including the U.S.
Where is the Usyk vs. Chisora fight?
The card will be the first Matchroom Boxing event on a four-show residency the promotion have signed with the SSE Arena, Wembley, adjacent to the iconic Wembley Stadium.Oleksandr Usyk record and bio
- Nationality: Ukrainian
- Born: Simferopol
- Height: 6'3"
- Reach: 78"
- Total fights: 17
- Record: 17-0, 13 KOs
Dereck Chisora record and bio
- Nationality: British
- Born: Zimbabwe
- Height: 6'2"
- Reach: 74"
- Total fights: 41
- Record: 32-9, 23 KOs
Usyk vs. Chisora full card
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Dereck Chisora, 12 rounds at heavyweight
- Lee Selby vs. George Kambosos Jr., 12 rounds, IBF lightweight eliminator
- Savannah Marshall vs. Hannah Rankin, 10 rounds for the vacant WBO middleweight title
- Tommy McCarthy vs. Bilal Laggoune, 12 rounds at 200lbs for vacant EBU European title
- Ramla Ali vs. Eva Hubmeyer, 6 rounds at super bantamweight
- Amy Timlin vs. Carly Skelly, 10 rounds at super bantamweight