Ever since he made his announcement public to move up to the Heavyweight division, Cruiserweight legend and former Undisputed Champion 🇺🇦Oleksandr Usyk (17-0-0, 13KO👊), as well as anticipatory fight fans has been chomping at the bit to get some healthy competition to test his mettle in the big boy league.   It is safe to say that brooding perennial contender 🇿🇼🇬🇧Dereck “War” Chisora (32-9-0, 23KO👊) fits the bill in terms of supplying something interesting for the Ukrainian to deal with, as he holds the determinant factors for a few lingering questions about Usyk’s legitimate placement in the Heavyweight division.

A POUND-4-POUND STAR LOOKS FOR A HOME IN THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

The last time we seen Usyk in the ring was in his first fight at Heavyweight in the pros (he technically fought at Heavyweight in the WSB), earning a decision against 🇺🇸Chazz Witherspoon.  While Witherspoon was merely a replacement opponent, Usyk was able to use that time and experience to ward off some rust after undergoing an 11 month hiatus from the ring after his masterful demolition job against 🇬🇧Tony “Bomber” Bellew at Cruiserweight to become the only Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion in its history to ever defend his Titles.

As mentioned before, he has fought Heavyweights of solid quality in the WSB, including against current unbeaten world contender 🥈🇬🇧Joe “Juggernaut” Joyce, and in that contest, with Joyce being a physical behemoth at 6’5, and 240 lbs.+, Usyk showed how he could attack the bigger fighters going forward, as well as how good he can take a Heavyweight punch, and in that contest, some boxes were ✔️checked.  With that being said, people want to see how well he handles it now so we can see where he stands in terms of future prospects.

A DOG NAMED DERECK WITH A HEAVY BITE LOOKS TO GET OFF OF THE LEASH

There are no secrets to Mr. Chisora, what you see is what you get.  An animated, sometimes vexing personality, he is a big, strong, tough guy, and in those areas, he ranks with the best of them in the Heavyweight division.  Though certainly not the most skillful of the bunch, he has just enough skills to keep top opponents honest, and to be a gatekeeper for those looking to enter into the hierarchy of the Heavyweight division, and if you don’t belong, he more than likely will knock you senseless and bring you back down to earth.

His last bout was against Bronze-Medalist 🥉🇬🇧David Price.  Price, who for specific reasons has struggled at the pro level, still had stake as a good contender, but Chisora was too much for him to handle as Dereck got to him, and put an imprint on the fight with his game-changing power to force a 4th round stoppage to nab the 32nd victory of his 13 year career.

Considering that Chisora is as physically strong as anyone in the Heavyweight division today, and that he looks to exert his will over his opponents, a win and quality performance from Usyk here shall put to rest any lingering questions from the masses who wonder if he can hold his own at Heavyweight – and as for Chisora, he has the opportunity of a lifetime at his fingertips to defeat a true great to open up new opportunities in the late stages of his career.  The fight will take place on Halloween night, to be broadcast on 💻DAZN’s streaming app.