Carl Froch doesn’t believe Dereck Chisora is a top tier heavyweight and that Oleksandr Usyk should handle him easily in their October 31 showdown at the Wembley Arena.
Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) has mixed it with some of the best at heavyweight though generally fell short after some thrilling encounters.
Yet the 36-year-old has been galvanised since teaming up with previous conqueror and unlikely manager David Haye and will represent former cruiserweight king Usyk’s first real test at heavyweight.
“It’s difficult to assess how Usyk will be at heavyweight because he hasn’t been there long. But such a top quality cruiserweight, it’s hard to write him off against any fighter in any division,” three-time super-middleweight champ Froch told Talksport.
“We need to know what Usyk is going to be like under pressure from a proper heavyweight, someone with size and strength. Chisora has losses against [Dillian] Whyte, [Tyson] Fury, [Kubrat] Pulev, Haye and [Vitali] Klitschko and you’ve got to say – I don’t want to give him any stick or disrespect or anything – but Chisora doesn’t belong with the big boys at heavyweight, does he?
“He’s proven he can’t compete with those top, top lads because he gets beaten every time he steps up in that sense. Usyk needs to not only beat Chisora, but he needs to do it in style and make a statement.
“It took Evander Holyfield a couple of years to grow into heavyweight. Has Usyk got time to do that at 33 years old? He looked flawless at cruiserweight and one of the best that division has ever seen. Chisora is going to be the real test because he’s a true heavyweight.
“I struggle to find a win for Chisora here other than a knockout which you can’t rule out, but Usyk should comprehensively outbox him.”