Tag: O2 arena

David Haye: Dereck Chisora working as hard as Oleksandr Usyk

David Haye said protege Dereck Chisora is “in a good place” in anticipation of his showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.

David Haye, the manager of  Dereck Chisora, took notice of a photo on Instagram purporting to show that Chisora’s up-coming opponent Oleksandr Usyk is bulking up during the coronavirus pandemic.

Haye responded by saying that his man also is working hard in anticipation of their showdown, which was scheduled for May 23 at O2 Arena in London but later postponed.

Chisora and his handlers reportedly are exploring the possibility of staging the fight in Saudi Arabia, which could lift its coronavirus restrictions as soon as July.

“Derek is in a good place,” Haye told talkSPORT. “The fight date he’s been working towards has been postponed and Usyk is in training and we can see from his social media that he is ticking over in the Ukraine.

“He’s ranked in every boxing expert’s Top 5 pound-for-pound fighters, he’s an Olympic champion, he’s never ever lost a boxing match before, he was the undisputed cruiserweight champion. He’s the man, the most skilled smaller heavyweight out there.

“Derek Chisora has lost nine fights, many people think he’s passed his prime, but believe me he was having a run in training camp like I’ve never seen him before – the sparring, the physical side of things.

“He’s got on his discipline, he’s eating the right food, he’s sleeping the right times, he’s not doing all of the things he did in the past that culminated in him losing those nine fights. He shouldn’t have lost all of those fights. A lot of the time he wasn’t just in the best physical condition, the right mind-set, but he is now.

“I think Usyk has miscalculated how good Chisora is, he doesn’t realize how strong he is. He’s like a bull, he’s absolutely rock-solid, and he’s still training now. A lot of boxers would fly off the handle in this lockdown, they’d be on the beers, smashing Easter eggs, but he hasn’t. He’s been really on it, he’s been looking after himself.

“So when this thing dies down and he finally gets his opportunity, he beats Usyk and then he is then the No. 1 contender for Anthony Joshua, and that’s a dream come true for him.”

Oleksandr Usyk shows off bulk in Instagram photo

Is Oleksandr Usyk evolving physically into a legitimate heavyweight?

Is Oleksandr Usyk evolving physically into a legitimate heavyweight?

The former unified cruiserweight champ, who is 6-foot-3, weighed 215 pounds for his heavyweight debut against Chazz Witherspoon — a seventh-round knockout — this past October in Chicago.

For that fight, he was a small heavyweight. However, some have taken a look at the photo Usyk posted on Instagram Friday (see below) and have concluded that he’s using his time off to bulk up.

One could argue that he has heavyweight guns in that image, although he didn’t exactly have an biceps issue before now.

One could also argue that he remains a cruiserweight from the waist down, perhaps in the mold of pioneer Bob Fitzsimmons. Maybe he’s still working on his legs.

Either way, the image is striking. Usyk looks strong. And we know he has all the ability in the world.

We’ll see how this plays out as Usyk continues to fight as a heavyweight. He was scheduled to face Dereck Chisora on May 23 at O2 Arena in London but that fight was postponed indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

U.K. officials extend suspension of cards through end of April

The British Boxing Board of Control extended suspension of cards in the U.K. though the end of April because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Uncertainty about boxing’s return only heightened Monday with an extended suspension of cards in the U.K. though the end of April.

The British Boxing Board of Control announced the extension within a week after it imposed a suspension through the end of March because of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

“Following further Government and Medical Authorities advice, the British Boxing Board of Control has decided that the suspension of Boxing Tournaments under the BBBofC jurisdiction remains in place until the end of April when further consideration will be given,” the ruling body said in a statement. “We will continue to follow the Government and the Medical Authorities advice and keep the situation under review.’’

An intriguing heavyweight fight between Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce had been scheduled for April 11 at O2 Arena in London. Promoter Frank Warren has rescheduled it for July 11, also at O2.

There’s still no new date for junior welterweight Josh Taylor’s mandatory title defense against Apinun Khongsong. It had been scheduled for May 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Other key bouts in the U.K. are still on the May schedule, including two heavyweight bouts — Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin on May 2 in Manchester and Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora on May 23 at O2 Arena.

Usyk manager: ‘It would be big problem to not box for long time’

Oleksandr Usyk hopes his fight with Dereck Chisora on May 23 will go on as scheduled and lead to a busy end to a chaotic year.

Staying busy, one of boxing reliable formulas, is quickly becoming impossible amid the wave of cancellations forced by the coronavirus pandemic, yet Oleksandr Usyk still has a date he hopes will lead to a busy end to a chaotic year.

May 23 against Dereck Chisora at London’s O2 Arena is still on Usyk’s schedule. How long it will be there is anybody’s guess. Boxing in the United States has gone dark through at least the end of April.

Bouts in early May appear to be tentative. Promoters reportedly have postponed the Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders super middleweight fight, scheduled for May 2, until sometime in June, a month that already includes Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title defense against Kubrat Pulev on the 20th, also in London.

If the coronavirus threat subsides, maybe Usyk-Chisora will be the first bout in boxing’s return. Usyk can only hope. And maybe pray.

“Oleksandr wants to be in the ring to get busy,” Usyk manager Egis Klimas told Sky Sports after the Chisora fight was formally announced last week. “It would be a big problem to not box for a long time.”

Usyk hasn’t fought since his heavyweight debut, a stoppage of late stand-in Chazz Witherspoon in October. Injuries, including one to an elbow, have plagued him. The former cruiserweight champion was initially expected to make his second heavyweight appearance on March 28. Yet, he continues to rank as the mandatory challenger to one of the belts held by Joshua (AJ).

“It’s very good when people talk a lot about Tyson Fury and AJ, because every time they talk they mention me as the mandatory challenger,” said Usyk, No. 5 in Boxing Junkie’s latest pound-for-pound poll.

“I don’t really like to guess what’s going to be in the future. My guess is that everything is pre-defined by the Lord, and all we need to do is to wait for our time to come. But if someone tries to cheat us, we will fight for our rights. Someone may just try to cheat us.”

For now, coronavirus is cheating just about everybody. For now, fighting it is the only fight.

Read more:

Pound-for-pound: The top stars’ immediate plans

 

Oleksandr Usyk on Dereck Chisora bout: ‘I hope fight will take place’

Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora acknowledged the Coronavirus as they kicked off the promotion of their May 23 showdown.

Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora made it clear at a news conference Friday in London that their May 23 showdown is scheduled to take place in unusual times.

Chisora wore a bandana over his mouth and a plastic suit covering his clothes. Usyk also had his nose and mouth covered at one point. And moments after their obligatory face-to-face stare down and then a friendly selfie – Usyk without a mask at that moment – the cruiserweight-turned-heavyweight whipped out disinfectant and sprayed the area.

Those watching, perhaps amused, had to wonder whether the fight being promoted would actually take place as scheduled. Sporting events worldwide have been canceled because of the pandemic, which has killed more than 5,000 worldwide.

If it happens, it will be one of the most-anticipated fights so far this year and one that will have a tremendous impact on the division.

Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) would be fighting as a heavyweight for the second time, having stopped Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds in October. He is in the short line to challenge for one of Anthony Joshua’s titles.

Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) has won three consecutive fights since he was stopped in 11 rounds by Dillian Whyte in December 2018. He’s fighting to remain a viable championship contender.

Usyk was speaking for many people when he said, “I really hope that this fight will take place.”

The 33-year-old Ukrainian, the 2018 Fighter of the Year and former unified 200-pound champion, believes he can also find success against the biggest men in the sport. Usyk, who is 6-foot-3, weighed 215 pounds for the Witherspoon fight.

“As a cruiserweight, I reached the highest heights as undisputed champion and now I am following the same path as a heavyweight,” talkSPORT quoted Usyk as saying. “I expect a real test in Chisora. He is strong, tough and resilient. I recall being an amateur and watching his fight with Vitali Klitschko. It seemed so big and far away.

“Now I am myself taking a fight against Chisora. I am working hard in my training camp to show a spectacular performance on May 23. Dear friends, I will see you soon!”

Chisora, a Zimbabwe-born Londoner who has been a heavyweight his entire career, believes Usyk is in for a rude awakening.

“War is coming,” said Chisora, who is 6-1½ but weighed 260¼ in his last fight. “Usyk reckons he can step up and survive with the big boys. He may be the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world, but on May 23 he will find out what it feels like to be hit by a real heavyweight.

“He is coming to my backyard. I’m going to remind him exactly why he hid in the cruiserweight division and also get revenge for my boy, Tony Bellew (who lost to Usyk in 2018). This will be war.”

 

Oleksandr Usyk: ‘I expect a real test in (Dereck) Chisora’

The Oleksandr Usyk-Dereck Chisora heavyweight fight on May 23 in London was formally announced on Wednesday.

It’s a new weight. The second step in a new beginning. But the path looks familiar to Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk’s pursuit of a heavyweight title resumes on May 23 against Dereck Chisora at London’s O2 Arena in a bout that reminds him of his run to an undisputed reign at cruiserweight.

“As a cruiserweight, I reached the highest heights as undisputed champion, and now I am following the same path as a heavyweight,’’ Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) said Wednesday in a Matchroom Boxing statement formally announcing the bout.

Usyk, the 2018 Fighter of the Year and No. 5 in Boxing Junkie’s latest pound-for-pound poll, is coming off a tentative performance in his heavyweight debut, a seventh-round stoppage in October of Chazz Witherspoon, a late stand-in for the original opponent.

There were questions about whether the 6-foor-3 Usyk was big enough for current generation of heavyweight champions. He was at 215 pounds against Witherspoon, who was at 246.  Tyson Fury is 6-9. Anthony Joshua is 6-6. Former champion Deontay Wilder is 6-6.

Against the 6-2 Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs), Usyk will have a one-inch advantage in height, but he fights at 240-plus pounds.

“I expect a real test in Chisora,’’ Usyk said.  “He is strong, tough and resilient. I recall being an amateur and watching his fight with (then-heavyweight titlist) Vitali Klitschko (in 2012). It seemed so big and far away. Now, I am myself taking a fight against Chisora. I am working hard in my training camp to show a spectacular performance on May 23.”

In the 36-year-old Chisora, Usyk, 33, faces a heavyweight with word-class experience. He has faced Fury, Vitali Klitschko, Kubrat Pulev, Dillian Whyte and David Haye, now his manager. He lost to them all, too.

“War is coming,” Chisora said. “Usyk reckons he can step up and survive with the big boys. He may be the (former) undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world, but on May 23 he will find out what it feels like to be hit by a real heavyweight. He is coming to my backyard. I’m going to remind him exactly why he hid in the cruiserweight division.’’

Follow Norm Frauenheim on Twitter @FrauenheimNorm

Read more:

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Dereck Chisora announcement set for Friday

Joe Joyce vs. Daniel Dubois showdown set for April 18: report

Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois, two unbeaten Londoners, have agreed to fight one another on April 18 at O2 Arena, according to The Athletic.

Only one rising heavyweight will be left standing.

Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois, two unbeaten Londoners, have agreed to fight one another on April 18 at O2 Arena, according to The Athletic. Apparently, they have yet to formally sign contracts.

The fight reportedly will be available on pay-per-view in the U.K., where the fighters are well known, and streamed on ESPN+ in the U.S.

Both fighters have climbed into the heavyweight rankings in spite of relatively few fights.

Joyce (10-0, 9 KOs) won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and has plowed through increasingly difficult opposition. The 34-year-old is coming off the only decision in his pro career, a unanimous nod over capable Bryant Jennings in July.

Dubois (14-0, 13 KOs) is obviously a better long term prospect at only 22 years old. His resume is thinner than that of Joyce – who has also beaten Bermane Stiverne – but he has been just as overwhelming.

Both fighters are huge, Joyce 6-foot-6 and Dobois 6-5.