Oleksandr Usyk’s co-promoter Alexander Krassyuk says the Ukrainian maestro is already ‘in Anthony Joshua’s head’.
WBO No.1 contender Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) faces heavyweight stalwart Dereck Chisora at the SSE Arena, Wembley, on Saturday, knowing victory should inch him ever closer to a shot at the sanctioning body’s reigning title-holder Joshua.
It’s likely unified champion Joshua will have to relinquish his WBO crown if he faces WBC king Tyson Fury in a projected two-fight series in 2021. But sooner or later, it seems Joshua is destined to face Usyk.
“Usyk is already in AJ’s head,” Krassyuk told Sky Sports. “Their fight will happen anyway, this is just a matter of time. There is no difference how big Usyk’s win is [against Chisora] – AJ knows that this guy is a real threat for him.
“The KO does not depend much on Usyk [on Saturday] but on Chisora. If Dereck is in good shape and condition, if he will be ready to be moving for the whole distance, if his stamina will be sufficient to stay focused without losing concentration, then a KO is not likely to happen.
“But once Derek decides to [take a risk] he will be immediately floored. I expect that Usyk’s plan will be very similar to his previous bouts. He will start slow using his jab to learn his opponent’s intentions. In two or three rounds, Usyk will add some artillery and will start to gradually destroy Chisora.”