By Charles Brun: Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora could be battling it out on February 8th, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. He met with Usyk’s team in Monaco this week, and they made it clear that they want the Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) fight. Hearn also spoke to Chisora and his manager David Haye, and they both want the Usyk (17-0, 13 KO) fight.
Usyk and Chisora will both be flying over for this Saturday’s rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. in Saudi Arabia. This will give both fighters a chance to get visibility, and have their proposed February 8th fight discussed.
Hearn: Both Chisora and Usyk want the fight
“I had a meeting with Usyk’s team in Monaco. They’re very interested in a fight with Chisora,” said Hearn to IFL TV about negotiations for a Usyk vs. Chisora fight. “I had talks with David Haye, and Dereck Chisora.
“They’re very interested in that fight. February 8th is the potential date, but hopefully, they’ll both be here this week. I know Usyk is coming, and I believe Chisora is coming as well,” said Hearn.
It’s predictable what boxing fans can expect to see when Chisora and Usyk get together inside the ring this Saturday in Saudia Arabia. Chisora possibly getting in Usyk’s face, and a lot of jowling on his part. Usyk isn’t the type to trash talk though, so it’ll be interesting to see how Chisora can work this up in fake theatrics.
Usyk’s WBO mandatory status will be on the line
This will be Usyk’s second fight at heavyweight since moving up from cruiserweight. The 32-year-old Usyk won his debut in beating Chazz Witherspoon last October. It was a decent but far from great showing by the 2012 Olympic gold medalist Usyk in stopping 38-year-old Witherspoon. Hearn wasn’t taking any chances that Usyk might lose in selecting Witherspoon.
Usyk’s WBO mandatory position will be on the line for the fight with Chisora. If Usyk loses, then Chisora will be the one who challenges for the WBO title against the Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. 2 winner. Dillian Whyte likely won’t be too happy if Chisora gets a crack at a world title before him.
Usyk vs. Chisora will need a good undercard
Hearn isn’t saying anything yet about the price for the Usyk vs. Chisora fight. It’s obviously going to be shown on Sky Box Office PPV in the UK, and DAZN. It’s not a fight that would sell in the U.S, but that’s not concern due to both being with Matchroom.
It would be good on Hearn to add a good quality co-feature bout for the Usyk-Chisora card, because they need something to justify putting it on Sky Box Office. Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz 2 has ONLY one good undercard fight in Alexander Povetkin vs. Michael Hunter. The rest of the undercard is mismatches as far as the eye can see.
Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker won’t be happy about this. He was supposed to fight Chisora on October 26 at the O2. Three weeks before the match, Parker pulled out of the fight with the excuse that he’d possibly been bitten by a spider.
Parker left Chisora high and dry, and you have to wonder whether he got cold feet or if there was some other problem that sidelined Parker. Getting bit by a spider and pulling out 3 weeks before? It’s very strange. You can’t blame Chisora for moving on.