WBC and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has given his verdict on Oleksandr Usyk's step up to the heavyweight division after his victory over Derek Chisora on October 31st.
The Ukranian won by unanimous decision over Derek Chisora, but looked uncomfortable early on in the fight with Chisora's aggressive and physical style unsettling the former undisputed cruiserweight champion.
'The Gypsy King' believes that Usyk will not pose much of a threat to the bigger heavyweights in the division, but admits he is an excellent technical boxer at a lower weight.
He told talkSPORT Fight Night: "“Did we see the best Oleksandr Usyk? I’m not sure, did we see the best Oleksandr Usyk at heavyweight? I don’t know.
“But on that performance I can say that none of the top 15 heavyweights out there are sweating Oleksandr Usyk at the moment, unfortunately. None of us are quaking. Is that it? Everyone’s like, ‘Is that what all the hype was about?’.This is the heavyweight game and heavyweights ain’t like they were years ago, and Chisora’s probably the smallest heavyweight out there.
“Being brutally honest, I think when he fights a big heavyweight who can punch a bit it’ll be like a lamb to slaughter.”
The heavyweight champion however agreed that the reward is much higher in the heavyweight division and has defended Usyk's decision to move up to 200lbs.
“My opinion of it is – it’s the heavyweight division and not the cruiserweight division for a reason.
“I understand look, all cruiserweights that do well want to step up to heavyweight to get that big money. They all want a piece of the pie, but there’s divisions for a reason. After his last performance, I honestly thought he was better than he was because I highly rated Oleksandr Usyk as a master technician as a cruiserweight.
“But at heavyweight there was nothing that impressed me to be fair.”
Tyson Fury is expected to make his return to the ring in December in a fight taking place on Frank Warren's 40th anniversary card, with Frank Warren revealing that a deal is close for the Briton to fight Agit Kabayel.
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