The Oleksandr Usyk versus Tyson Fury rematch is now just under three months away.
The first battle between these two heavyweight greats took place back in May and lived up to all the expectation.
It was a close 12-round contest with plenty of back and forth between the two then-unbeaten fighters. Former Olympic gold medalist Usyk managed to have the most decisive round when he caught Fury flush and sent him to the ropes for a 10 count.
That gave him the points win as well as the undisputed world heavyweight crown and all four major belts, while Fury was left to come to terms with his first-ever professional loss.
The pair will now go at it again in December, albeit just for the WBC, WBO and WBA belts after the IBF was vacated in order for Usyk to honour the rematch rather than fight his mandatory.
Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing, Derek Chisora, who is the only man to face both, was asked about Usyk’s skills.
“Yeh, we have to give a shout to Usyk. He beat my backside, he beat AJ twice, he beat Daniel Dubois and he beat Fury. He beat all the British boys, he gave us a whoop-ass basically.”
He was then asked what makes him so good.
“He moves a lot, and he’s very fit. When they were promoting the fight with ‘AJ’, the second one, he arrived in London and went to an Olympic pool and he swam for six hours non-stop. Where he beats you is fitness. By the time it’s round six you think it’s round 10. You have to be fit, and he keeps chucking, he chucks and moves around. With southpaws as well it’s the leading hand so any mistakes get punished.”
And finally he gave his fight prediction.
“Yes, 100% [Usyk will win again]. This time I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t stop Tyson.”
Whoever wins might well want to take on current IBF world champion Daniel Dubois in a second undisputed contest.
