Derek Chisora has now had the privilege – depending on how you look at it – to be in the ring with both current heavyweight champions, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Chisora provided the Ukrainian with just his second test in the division. The pair fought in October 2020, going the twelve round distance before a unanimous decision of 117–112, 115–113, and 115–113 was announced for Usyk. He would go on to win the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles from Anthony Joshua in his next fight.
Following two losses to Joseph Parker and a win over Kubrat Pulev, Chisora found himself picking up a call from Fury, who offered him a shot at the WBC Heavyweight title. The two had faced off before, with Fury taking both victories.
The trilogy fight was to be no different, and their abilities proved to be so many levels a part that by the halfway stage people were urging Chisora’s corner to throw in the towel. It ended in a tenth round TKO for Fury, with the ref waving it off having seen enough.
That win now frees up Fury to negotiate an undisputed fight with Usyk. After the fight, Chisora told Seconds Out that he would favour Fury should it be made. Unfortunately, the fighter’s injured jaw from ten brutal rounds with ‘The Gypsy King’ didn’t allow for more elaboration.
If it is made, Fury will enter the bout the bookmaker’s favourite, and pundits have already offered the opinion that the man from Morecambe will simply prove too big and too strong for the former cruiserweight. It’s worth remembering though, that some said that same before he beat Anthony Joshua twice.
It certainly doesn’t seem to be a problem for Usyk, who stood face-to-face with Fury and showed heavyweight composure. Updates from the fighters and promoters following that were positive and, barring any injuries, it looks like we may just see an undisputed champion in the division in the first half of the new year.