Preview: Oleksandr Usyk vs Dereck Chisora: Will there be a huge knockout in heavyweight Halloween clash?
GBN previews the crunch Halloween heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora at SSE Arena on Saturday night
Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk takes on his first real test in the heavyweight division against Dereck Chisora at the SSE Arena live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN on Saturday night.
GBN Editor Ben Davies previewed the entire Matchroom boxing fight card:
Main Event
Oleksandr Usyk vs Dereck Chisora
The heavyweight clash has finally been rescheduled after a long period of uncertainty caused by the pandemic with the pair initially scheduled to clash on 23rd May, but now the talking is over and with work from Matchroom Boxing the fight deal was concluded for 'Fright Night' on Saturday.
With stiff shots and fireworks expected, both fighters have a huge mutual respect for one another with shouts of 'DERECK' and 'OLEKSANDR' being exchanged during long and intense training camps, but there will be no love-loss for a fight which has recieved an interesting build-up with the elite technical ability and boxing ability of the Ukranian Usyk pitted against the power and grit of seasoned heavyweight warrior 'WAR' Chisora.
A 33-year-old southpaw lit up the cruiserweight division and has now graduated to the big time in the heavyweight division but is now set to face his first world-level test at the higher weight and will be keen to show his explosive power and ability to comprehensively outbox any opponent he faces in the ring.
Taking an amateur record of 335-15 and a series of phenomenal early achievements in becoming Olympic and World champion to say the least, is an extremely favourable pedigree to come into the complex puzzle at the top of the division, and is already ranked in the top three fighters at 201lbs by all five governing bodies after just one contest: WBC #2; WBA #2; IBF #3; WBO #1; IBO #1.
His opponent 'Del Boy' has not reached the heights at the amateurs as the Ukranian but still managed to achieve highly in a much shorter career by winning the 2006 ABA super-heavyweight championships and bagging gold at a Four Nations tournament in just 20 contests.
Taking the leap much earlier however, the 36-year-old durable heavyweight has competed incredibly well domestically and at European level with British, Commonwealth and European titles held between 2010-2014. Earning the respect of fellow professionals along his journey, Chisora has only ever challenged for a world title once back in 2012 where he was defeated, but still maintains hope and a belief that he can spring a shock on Saturday night and propel his way onto the world stage once again. While remaining ranked in the top fifteen of the heavyweight division with all five bodies: WBC #12; WBA #10; IBF #10; WBO #8; IBO #8, the Briton will look to draw his experiences and knowledge of the division toovercome yet another uphill battle in familiar territory.
In the other corner, Usyk has an undefeated professional record (17-0) which has largely been at cruiserweight where he reigned supreme winning all four titles and drawing comparison to Evander Holyfield in the process of dominating the division defeating the likes of Tony Bellew and Mairis Briedis. As a history-maker and hugely gifted boxing talent, Usyk will now be looking to stamp his authority on the higher division with questions raised about his power and chin in a much more agressive division.
Making his heavyweight debut and a step up to face Chazz Witherspoon, the Ukranian began his prosperous heavyweight career nervously, showing signs of tension in his early attempts to assert his usual control at a higher weight. However his world-class began to reign true comprehensively dominating the rounds thereafter until the seventh round, where his powerful combinations to the body and head inflicted damage and fatigue on his opponent who was forced to retire sending warning signs and questions into an already stacked blue-ribbon division. With almost a year since the fight took place in Chicago, Usyk will be extremely motivated to deliver on the global stage once against a much more experienced and aggressive opponent, who has also faced a period out of the sport due to complex circumstances during the pandemic.
Zimbabwean-born Chisora fought David Price last time out who made his third opponent since his loss to Dillian Whyte back in 2018 in an epic brawl at the O2 arena in London. Price was deprived of any space and room to manoeuvre by 'WAR' who closed up the angles and turned the fight into a feast of heavy shots, with Price's corner forced to hurl in the towel after hitting the canvas in the fourth round.
That fight was yet another display of Chisora's aggressive style, which unless a tactical tweak is being prepared with trainer David Haye, will more than likely be the approach to try and unsettle Usyk in just his second fight against a heavyweight to date.
It will be a very uphill battle however, with Usyk predicted to comprehensively outbox the Brit using his tremendous speed and technique to break down the fight and try to establish his control on the scorecards throughout. The questions will be asked of Usyk for the first time against a bigger stronger offensive unit than what he is aclimatised, with Chisora's relentless pressure sure to give Usyk early problems.
Tactics and likely styles:
Chisora: Rough and ready as always, Chisora will look to bring the fight in close and trade in the centre of the ring, and fire a constant barrage of pressure and stiff shots at Usyk to try and force the narrative and a stoppage, and will be looking to bully and dominat his way into the technique and precision of his opponent, to land anything he possibly can.
Usyk: The Ukranian will look to keep his distance in the fight, using his elite speed and movement to intelligently outbox Chisora landing as many combinations as possible to wear down the barrage and presure that is always of expected of Chisora. He will try to pick him off from range using the jab and reach advantage to counter and look for gaps during any assault from his opponent.
Prediction:
Chisora will come into the fight with all guns blazing and nothing to lose looking to step in and take the fight to Usyk from as early as possible.
Usyk will no doubt have to weather a few complex opening rounds, possibly facing some of the heaviest shots he has faced at the higher weight. However I then expect Usyk to get through this initial barrage and assert his domination to gain control of the fight and gain a large advantage on the scorecards, and may also be able to force a stoppage getting towards the championship rounds, with Chisora tiring and lacking the strength to land anything the other way.
Although Usyk is relatively inexperienced on the new heavyweight stage, It is very hard to see that Chisora can show his steely grit and determination once again to go toe-to-toe with an undisputed world champion like Usyk, but it remains possible that his heavy shots could potentially cause damage and force a stoppage as the unknown complexity of the heavyweight division has seen recently with Povetkin landing flush to clean out Dillian Whyte.
Going into the fight, It is difficult to bypass a victory for Oleksandr Usyk, to potentially set up a mandatory shot at the WBO heavyweight title that Anthony Joshua currently holds. Despite predictiing a difficult test at a higher strength and aggression than to what has previously been accustomed, I can see Usyk potentially grinding dowthe resolve of Chisora and stopping the fight in the championship rounds possibly in Round 11.
Co-Main Event
Lee Selby vs George Kambosos Jr
Welshman Lee Selby (28-2 9KOS) takes on undefeated George Kambosos Jr (18-0 10KOS) in an 12-round IBF lightweight eliminator, with Selby looking to land his first world title shot after a step up from the featherweight division.
'Lightning' Selby has already been a world champion under IBF between 2017 and 2018, but lost the belt at the hands of undefeated Leeds fighter Josh Warrington. He then immediately moved up to Featherweight where he won the IBF inter-continental lightweight title in his first fight against American Omar Douglas where despite having cuts over both eyes by the latter stages of the scrap managed to wrestle the scorecards in his favour to take the victory by unanimous decision. He then recorded another scorecard victory over Ricky Burns at the O2 arena back in October last year in his last fight since the global pandemic took hold. He now sits at a healthy #4 in the IBF rankings one place below his opponent ahead of their clash on Saturday.
His opponent 'Ferocious' Kambosos Jr has a style that matches his Alias perfectly, being aggressive and powerful and remains undefeated in 27 bouts claiming some impressive scalps along the way tov his status as #3 with the IBF.
The Australian has reigned as national and New South Wales champion and looked extremely impressive in his last bout against Mickey Bay where he was the aggressor once again and very nearly earned an impressive stoppage landing a sensational uppercut in the last round, but once again managed to take the victory via the judges decision back in December at Madison Square Garden.
In your face and intimidating, Kambosos will no doubt look to trouble Selby with power and precision throughout the contest, and unsettle the welshman despite his tremendous boxing intelligence and movement.
Slick and with great accuracy and efficiency, Selby has a superb technique and skillset that has allowed him to reach the level that he has so far, and has previously had himself dubbed 'The Welsh Mayweather'. Selby has a great shot selection and ability to produce a stoppage with one punc should he land one of his whipping body shots or powerful glancing shots to the head.
Despite Selby's skillset however, Kambosos remains in tremendous form and a real talent at 135 lbs. If Selby cannot begin to make inroads into the 27-year-old by infliciting fatigue and damage, It is highly likely that Kambosos could pull off a career best victory here with relentless aggression and the likely nature of coming foward and putting pressure and power to the body and head of Selby.
Any outcome coule be possible in an intriguing contest that the winner will aspire to increase the intensity of their pursuit for the IBF lightweight world title that Teofimo Lopez just earnt off of Vasyl Lomachenko with a tremendous win in Las Vegas.
I can see Lee Selby taking the fight to the scorecards, but only if Kambosos Jr is held at arms length as he could well cause an upset with a stoppage victory.
Undercard:
Dave Allen vs Christopher Lovejoy
Popular with British boxing fanbase, Dave Allen (18-5-2 15KOS) returns to action against a late opponent change in the shape of unbeaten stoppage specialist Christopher Lovejoy (19-0 19 KOS) on Saturday night at heavyweight.
Lovejoy obviously has an unbeaten record which is obviously impressive, but just one of those opponents had a winning record so will be a big step up against an experienced pro in 'The White Rhino'.
Allen recieved a brutal punishment from David Price in their WBA international contest being stopped in the tenth round, but has since made a successful return to the ring against Dorian Darch with a third round knockout to boost his confidence. Now after sparring sessions with Oleksandr Usyk in preparation for his fight against Derek Chisora, Allen feels he is 'the best he has ever been' in terms of form and shape and has helped 'take him to another level'.
If Allen feels in the shape stated, he will hopefully continue to develop as a heavyweight and return to the heights of his past in his professional career.
His opponent clearly possesses a level of power with a 100% knockout ratio during his career irrespective of the level of his opponents, with his last four coming in the first round. He has begun to throw his name around with the big names in the division so clearly believes he is capable of mixing it with the heavyweight elite. However Dave Allen is a seasoned fighter with experience against big names and has the know-how to get through the fight or force a stoppage.
Although he needs to be careful to not feel the power of Lovejoy throughout the fight, I expect Allen to prevail on points.
Savannah Marshall vs Hannah Rankin
Originally scheduled for the Lewis Ritson vs Miguel Vasquez undercard, Savannah Marshall will take on Hannah Rankin in the rescheduled middleweight clash for the WBO world middleweight belt.
Savannah Marshall has gone from strength to strength in her professional career, having initally become Britain's first ever world champion, and has claimed some scalps during her career including Claressa Shields who she inflicted defeat on.
"Honestly it has been a dream to have this fight rescheduled so quickly," said Marshall.
"After the past week I've just been overjoyed with the news. I couldn't have asked for a better or bigger platform than on the Usyk vs Chisora bill.
"It was frustrating that the fight fell through, but it's one of those things. There was nothing I could have done about it. Peter is okay which is the main thing."
Her opponent Rankin has never been stopped and has fought tooth and nail throughout her career to get to the top level having been former IBO super welterweight champion, but has rarely faced anyone of top level pedigree during her three-year professional career, leading to back and forth comments traded between the two in the build up.
Marshall has six KO's from eight wins and will be extremely keen to end this fight and claim her first world title, with an extremely fiery brawl expected between the pair, as Rankin looks to prove herself at the top level after goiing down on the scorecards herself to Claressa Shields back in 2018.
Amy Timlin vs Carly Skelly
Originally scheduled for October 2 at the Bowler's Exhibition Centre in Manchester, the Commonwealth Female super-bantamweight title fight between Amy Timlin (3-0) and Carly Skelly (4-0) now lands on the much bigger platform on Sky Sports.
Liverpool's Carly Skelly is managed by Everton Red Traingle head coach, Paul Stevenson, and the talented mother of two benefits from sparring with his stable of seven unbeaten fighters, as well as Olympian Peter McGrail. Boxing out of North Mersey ABC with trainer Sid Sidankey, Skelly is a full-time nurse that only began boxing aged 29 to take part in a charity event. Discovering her natural talent for the sport, she quickly became an amateur, reaching the ABA finals and representing England in a very short space of time. She turned pro in 2019 and has won all four fights so far.
Against Timlin, the 33-year-old faces a 20-year-old former world kickboxing champion, trained by Kieran Farrell and managed by Dave Coldwell.
Both female fighters have been training all through lockdown and will be equally prepared when fight night rolls around.
Timlin is the favourite to win, with youth on her side, but Skelly has warned the youngster, 13 years her junior, that she will not have felt the power from a more mature fighter before.
With both fighters so early on in their respective careers, it's difficult to find accurate measuring sticks to compare their performances so far. They have two shared opponents, who they both beat on points, which could suggest they are of similar ability.
Timlin is quick, with very fast hands, but she does leave her head there to be hit. Skelly is inevitably going to be slightly slower than her younger opponent, but if she can land her powerful hooks from in close then she stands a chance of hurting Timlin, slowing her down, and potentially causing an upset.
This promises to be an extremely close contest with both fighters expected to put in superb aggressive displays, but I would expect to see Timlin prevail on points, with her youthful speed and agility handing her the reigns to take control of the fight on the scorecards.
UNDERCARD EXTRAS:
Tommy Mccarthy (16-2 8KOS) takes on Bilal Laggoune (25-2-1 14KOS) for the vacant European cruiseweight title in a twelve round contest.
Kash Farooq (13-1-0) takes on Martin Tecuapetla (15-4-12) in a bantamweight contest that takes place first on the card.
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