Oleksandr Usyk has declared Derek Chisora as the hardest puncher he has ever encountered, ranking him above both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Usyk, who solidified his position as the best heavyweight on the planet by becoming the undisputed world champion with a points victory over Fury in Saudi Arabia last month, has faced numerous formidable opponents in his illustrious career. Despite the powerhouses he’s gone up against, including Joshua and Fury, it is Chisora who has left the most lasting impression.
The 37-year-old Ukrainian, who previously reigned as the undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to the heavyweight division in 2019, shared his experiences on the Three Knockdown Rule podcast. Reflecting on his battles, Usyk highlighted the fearsome power of Chisora, recalling a particular punch that felt like “a baseball bat” even through his gloves.
“Was Fury the toughest fight? Yes. The biggest punch? No. Because Derek Chisora, very tough guy. [One punch landed] on the gloves and I said, ‘Oh my God.’ Like a baseball bat,” Usyk explained.
Usyk’s journey to the top of the heavyweight ranks began with a routine win over Chazz Witherspoon, followed by his first major test in the division against Chisora. The unanimous decision victory over the Londoner paved the way for Usyk’s world title fights against Joshua, whom he defeated twice, and Daniel Dubois, who he also overcame before his historic win against Fury.
Looking ahead, Usyk has expressed interest in a potential return to the cruiserweight division, where he initially made his mark by defeating top contenders like Krzysztof Glowacki and Mairis Briedis. He unified the cruiserweight division by defeating Murat Gassiev and defended all four belts against Tony Bellew in 2018.
“I think maybe after the rematch [with Fury] I am going to go down to my weight class, to cruiserweight. I want more cruiserweight. I can get undisputed a second time in the cruiserweight division. It’s my plan because when I start my training camp, I have to eat all the time. For me, it’s hard,” Usyk said.
A return to cruiserweight could open up exciting new matchups for Usyk, including potential clashes with current WBO titleholder Chris Billam-Smith and Australian star Jai Opetaia, who recently reclaimed the IBF title.
As Usyk continues to plot his next moves, the boxing world eagerly anticipates more memorable bouts from the champion, whether he remains in the heavyweight division or makes a triumphant return to cruiserweight.
