Lawrence Okolie put Dilan Prasovic away in three rounds on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk card Saturday in London.
Lawrence Okolie will now begin in earnest his quest to unify the cruiserweight titles.
The WBO beltholder needed only two-plus rounds to stop overmatched Dilan Prasovic on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk card Saturday night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Okolie’s hometown.
Okolie (17-0, 14 KOs) now has seven consecutive knockouts.
The 28-year-old champion put Prasovic (15-1, 12 KOs) down with a right hand to the side of the head with around 40 seconds remaining in Round 2. The Montenegrin survived the round but didn’t have much more to offer.
Less than a minute into Round 3, Okolie landed a brutal left to the body that put Prasovic on the canvas and hurt him badly. He was on all fours and in pain when referee Steve Gray reached the count of 10.
Okolie, a 2016 Olympian, was making the first defense of the vacant title he won by stopping former 200-pound champion Krzysztof Glowacki in six rounds this past March.
The 6-foot-5 resident of Hackney has stated that he wants unify the cruiserweight titles and then move up to heavyweight.
The 200-pound beltholders are Mairis Briedis (IBF), Arsen Goulamirian (WBA) and Ilunga Makabu (WBC). Okolie said after his victory that he’d like to face Briedis first because he’s recognized by many as the top cruiserweight.
Lawrence Okolie put Dilan Prasovic away in three rounds on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk card Saturday in London.
Lawrence Okolie will now begin in earnest his quest to unify the cruiserweight titles.
The WBO beltholder needed only two-plus rounds to stop overmatched Dilan Prasovic on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk card Saturday night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Okolie’s hometown.
Okolie (17-0, 14 KOs) now has seven consecutive knockouts.
The 28-year-old champion put Prasovic (15-1, 12 KOs) down with a right hand to the side of the head with around 40 seconds remaining in Round 2. The Montenegrin survived the round but didn’t have much more to offer.
Less than a minute into Round 3, Okolie landed a brutal left to the body that put Prasovic on the canvas and hurt him badly. He was on all fours and in pain when referee Steve Gray reached the count of 10.
Okolie, a 2016 Olympian, was making the first defense of the vacant title he won by stopping former 200-pound champion Krzysztof Glowacki in six rounds this past March.
The 6-foot-5 resident of Hackney has stated that he wants unify the cruiserweight titles and then move up to heavyweight.
The 200-pound beltholders are Mairis Briedis (IBF), Arsen Goulamirian (WBA) and Ilunga Makabu (WBC). Okolie said after his victory that he’d like to face Briedis first because he’s recognized by many as the top cruiserweight.
Callum Smith delivered a brutal second-round knockout of Lenin Castillo in his 175-pound debut on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk card.
Callum Smith made a strong first impression as a light heavyweight on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk card Saturday in London.
Smith, fighting for the first time since losing his super middleweight title to Canelo Alvarez in December, knocked out former Olympian Lenin Castillo with a single, devastating right hand 55 seconds into Round 2 in the scheduled 10-rounder.
Castillo, knocked unconscious, remained on the canvas until medical personnel removed him on a stretcher.
Smith (28-1, 20 KOs) was fighting for the first time as a full-fledged 175-pounder, a weight at which Castillo (21-4-1, 16 KOs) has fought his entire professional career.
However, Smith looked comfortable from the outset, fighting aggressively and with obvious confidence. The bout has been largely uneventful when early in the second round Smith landed a right counter to the head that put his Dominican opponent flat on his back.
It was clear immediately that Castillo was injured badly, as he seemed to have a seizure. Most notably, his legs shook badly.
Paramedics jumped into the ring quickly to treat Castillo and, after a few minutes, he was whisked out of the ring and taken to a hospital. DAZN later reported that he had regained consciousness.
Of course, Castilloâs condition made it impossible for Smith to celebrate his victory in the ring. However, the Liverpudlian had big night. He got back into the win column in dramatic fashion against a capable opponent, which is a significant step in the right direction.
Callum Smith delivered a brutal second-round knockout of Lenin Castillo in his 175-pound debut on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk card.
Callum Smith made a strong first impression as a light heavyweight on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk card Saturday in London.
Smith, fighting for the first time since losing his super middleweight title to Canelo Alvarez in December, knocked out former Olympian Lenin Castillo with a single, devastating right hand 55 seconds into Round 2 in the scheduled 10-rounder.
Castillo, knocked unconscious, remained on the canvas until medical personnel removed him on a stretcher.
Smith (28-1, 20 KOs) was fighting for the first time as a full-fledged 175-pounder, a weight at which Castillo (21-4-1, 16 KOs) has fought his entire professional career.
However, Smith looked comfortable from the outset, fighting aggressively and with obvious confidence. The bout has been largely uneventful when early in the second round Smith landed a right counter to the head that put his Dominican opponent flat on his back.
It was clear immediately that Castillo was injured badly, as he seemed to have a seizure. Most notably, his legs shook badly.
Paramedics jumped into the ring quickly to treat Castillo and, after a few minutes, he was whisked out of the ring and taken to a hospital. DAZN later reported that he had regained consciousness.
Of course, Castilloâs condition made it impossible for Smith to celebrate his victory in the ring. However, the Liverpudlian had big night. He got back into the win column in dramatic fashion against a capable opponent, which is a significant step in the right direction.
Anthony Joshua will put up his will be putting his WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles as he faces Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night.
Anthony Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) will be putting his WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles on the line when he faces Oleksandr Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) on Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
AJ is coming off a ninth-round knockout of Kubrat Pulev only six months ago and was able to get a match with Usyk in due time. Meanwhile, Usyk made the move to the heavyweight division after dominating in cruiserweight, he is coming off a victory over Derek Chisora last October that went 12 rounds.
With only six months between fights, can AJ continue his run against undefeated Usyk on Saturday night? Tune in and find out, here is everything you need to know to stream the action.
Boxing odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds last updated Thursday at 7:15 p.m. ET.
Anthony Joshua (-225) vs. Oleksandr Usyk (+200)
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Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk: 3 cruiserweights who succeeded at heavyweight … 3 who didn’t.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published before his unanimous-decision victory over Derek Chisora last October.
***
Oleksandr Usyk isnât breaking new ground by transitioning from a successful career at cruiserweight to heavyweight. Many have done it. A few have succeeded, most havenât.
The obvious disadvantage for a natural cruiserweight is the weight he gives away to big heavyweights. For example, Derek Chisora, Usykâs opponent on Saturday in London, weighed in Friday 38.5 pounds heavier than Usyk (255.5 to 217).
Thatâs a significant difference, one that only a special fighter can overcome. And remember: Usykâs goal is to fight Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury one day. Weâll see how that works out.
Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) stopped Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds in his heavyweight debut in October of last year. So far good. But Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) is expected to be a better gauge of how effective Usyk can be against the biggest men in the sport.
Here are three cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights who succeeded in the higher division and three who didnât.
SUCCEEDED
EVANDER HOLYFIELD
Evander Holyfield (right) defeated Mike Tyson twice. John Gurzinsky / AFP via Getty Images
Record: 44-10-2 (29 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: Three (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: Eight (four reigns) Notable victories at heavyweight: Buster Douglas, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Mike Tyson (twice), Michael Moorer Background: Holyfield is arguably the best cruiserweight ever and one of the greatest heavyweights. âThe Real Dealâ was at a size disadvantage in many of his heavyweight fights but was a four-time titleholder, beating a string of big-name opponents along the way. He won his first 10 fights at heavyweight, including a knockout of Buster Douglas in 1990 to become champion in Douglasâ first fight after his upset of Mike Tyson. Then Holyfield had his first encounter with a prime behemoth, Riddick Bowe. Holyfield and Bowe engaged in one of the great three-fight series but Bowe emerged victorious twice. Holyfield then picked on someone his own size. In one of boxingâs greatest upsets, he stopped Mike Tyson to regain a belt in 1996 and then lost a portion of his ear in the rematch. He had his ups and downs after that but was always competitive and delivered exciting fights. He almost won a title for a fifth time in 2008, when he was 46, but lost a majority decision to giant Nikolai Valuev. He fought three more times and retired.
DAVID HAYE
Overall record: 28-4 (26 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: One (one reign) Notable victories at heavyweight: Monte Barrett, Nikolai Valuev, John Ruiz, Derek Chisora Background: Haye was the king of the cruiserweight division in the 2000s, becoming undisputed champion and losing only to Carl Thompson by a stunning fifth-round knockout in 2004. âHayemakerâ made his debut as a full-fledged heavyweight in November 2008, when he stopped Monte Barrett in five rounds. In his next fight, a year later, he defeated Valuev by a majority decision to win one of the four major titles. He successfully defended against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison but then reached a little too high in an attempt to unify titles. A prime Wladimir Klitschko made Haye look like an undersized journeyman in July 2011, winning a wide decision in a fight that wasnât remotely competitive. Haye blamed a toe injury afterward, making things worse for him. Haye wasnât a great heavyweight by any stretch but he was good enough to win a major title and make two successful defenses. Thatâs a success.
TOMASZ ADAMEK
Overall record: 53-6 (31 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: None Notable victories at heavyweight: Andrew Golota, Chris Arreola, Michael Grant, Eddie Chambers, Steve Cunningham Background: Adamek had a remarkable career overall. The tough, well-schooled Pole won his first 31 fights and captured titles at both light heavyweight and cruiserweight before trying his hand against the biggest boys. He started his heavyweight career with a knockout of countryman Andrew Golota and reeled off five more victories to earn a shot at then-champion Vitali Klitschko in 2011. Thatâs where things started to go south. Adamek demonstrated the grit for which he was known but ultimately was overwhelmed by a much bigger, better man. Klitschko won every round and scored a 10th-round knockout. Adamek had mixed success after that â including a five-fight winning streak â but never again fought for a world title. He retired in 2018. Why is he filed under âsuccessfulâ here? Because he beat some good opponents and earned his shot at a title. Adamek was a solid heavyweight.
***
UNSUCCESSFUL
JAMES TONEY
James Toney (right) had his best night as a heavyweight against Holyfield. AP Photo / Eric Jamison
Overall record: 77-10-3 (47 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: None Notable victories at heavyweight: Evander Holyfield, Fres Oquendo Background: Toney couldâve been classified as âsuccessfulâ here if he hadnât failed a drug test and a few other things had gone his way. âLights Outâ is generally considered one of the most-gifted boxers of his generation even though he had issues with discipline. He won titles at middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight. Toney had a so-so experience in heavyweight waters but emerged with one impressive victory, a ninth-round stoppage of 40-year-old Evander Holyfield in 2003. Â And, in 2005, he defeated John Ruiz by a unanimous decision to win a major heavyweight title. However, days later, he tested positive for a steroid, the fight was ruled no-contest and Ruiz was reinstated as champion. Toney had mixed results after that â including a one-fight return to cruiserweight in which he lost to Denis Lebedev in 2011 â and never again fought for a meaningful heavyweight belt. Toney will be remembered as a great fighter but that has little to do with his years as a heavyweight.
DWIGHT MUHAMMAD QAWI
Overall record: 41-11-1 (25 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: None Notable victories at heavyweight: None Background: Qawi, whose whirling-dervish style was reminiscent of Joe Frazer, was a beast at light heavyweight and cruiserweight. He beat a string of quality opponents and most notably gave Holyfield absolute hell in a classic 1986 cruiserweight fight before losing a split decision, all of which earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. At heavyweight? Things didnât go so well for the 5-foot-7 banger from New Jersey. Qawiâs first serious foray into the sportâs heaviest division was against George Forman in 1988 and he was stopped in seven rounds. He went back to fighting smaller men after that, with moderate success, before retiring in 1992. However, he couldnât stay away. He returned once more as a heavyweight at 44 years old, beat two journeyman, lost to one (Tony LaRosa) and then walked away for good. Qawi (originally Dwight Braxton) is remembered as a fine light heavyweight and cruiserweight who was just too small to make it at heavyweight.
CARLOS DE LEON
Overall record: 53-8-1 (33 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: Four (four reigns) Titles at heavyweight: None Notable victories at heavyweight: None Background: People might forget how good De Leon was at cruiserweight in the 1980s, although he had his ups and downs. The Puerto Rican had four reigns as WBC cruiserweight champ, meaning he lost his belt three times â including once by knockout against Evander Holyfield — but he had the resilience and determination to regain it three times before losing it for good. He had victories over Marvin Camel (twice), Leon Spinks and Yaqui Lopez, and he drew with Johnny Nelson. He was on a win streak at cruiserweight in 1994 when he decided to move up to move up to heavyweight. He failed. He was stopped by Corrie Sanders in only 49 seconds in his heavyweight debut and lasted less than three rounds against Brian Nielsen three months later. He never fought again after that. De Leon died at 60 this past January.
Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk: 3 cruiserweights who succeeded at heavyweight … 3 who didn’t.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published before his unanimous-decision victory over Derek Chisora last October.
***
Oleksandr Usyk isnât breaking new ground by transitioning from a successful career at cruiserweight to heavyweight. Many have done it. A few have succeeded, most havenât.
The obvious disadvantage for a natural cruiserweight is the weight he gives away to big heavyweights. For example, Derek Chisora, Usykâs opponent on Saturday in London, weighed in Friday 38.5 pounds heavier than Usyk (255.5 to 217).
Thatâs a significant difference, one that only a special fighter can overcome. And remember: Usykâs goal is to fight Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury one day. Weâll see how that works out.
Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) stopped Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds in his heavyweight debut in October of last year. So far good. But Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) is expected to be a better gauge of how effective Usyk can be against the biggest men in the sport.
Here are three cruiserweights-turned-heavyweights who succeeded in the higher division and three who didnât.
SUCCEEDED
EVANDER HOLYFIELD
Evander Holyfield (right) defeated Mike Tyson twice. John Gurzinsky / AFP via Getty Images
Record: 44-10-2 (29 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: Three (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: Eight (four reigns) Notable victories at heavyweight: Buster Douglas, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Mike Tyson (twice), Michael Moorer Background: Holyfield is arguably the best cruiserweight ever and one of the greatest heavyweights. âThe Real Dealâ was at a size disadvantage in many of his heavyweight fights but was a four-time titleholder, beating a string of big-name opponents along the way. He won his first 10 fights at heavyweight, including a knockout of Buster Douglas in 1990 to become champion in Douglasâ first fight after his upset of Mike Tyson. Then Holyfield had his first encounter with a prime behemoth, Riddick Bowe. Holyfield and Bowe engaged in one of the great three-fight series but Bowe emerged victorious twice. Holyfield then picked on someone his own size. In one of boxingâs greatest upsets, he stopped Mike Tyson to regain a belt in 1996 and then lost a portion of his ear in the rematch. He had his ups and downs after that but was always competitive and delivered exciting fights. He almost won a title for a fifth time in 2008, when he was 46, but lost a majority decision to giant Nikolai Valuev. He fought three more times and retired.
DAVID HAYE
Overall record: 28-4 (26 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: One (one reign) Notable victories at heavyweight: Monte Barrett, Nikolai Valuev, John Ruiz, Derek Chisora Background: Haye was the king of the cruiserweight division in the 2000s, becoming undisputed champion and losing only to Carl Thompson by a stunning fifth-round knockout in 2004. âHayemakerâ made his debut as a full-fledged heavyweight in November 2008, when he stopped Monte Barrett in five rounds. In his next fight, a year later, he defeated Valuev by a majority decision to win one of the four major titles. He successfully defended against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison but then reached a little too high in an attempt to unify titles. A prime Wladimir Klitschko made Haye look like an undersized journeyman in July 2011, winning a wide decision in a fight that wasnât remotely competitive. Haye blamed a toe injury afterward, making things worse for him. Haye wasnât a great heavyweight by any stretch but he was good enough to win a major title and make two successful defenses. Thatâs a success.
TOMASZ ADAMEK
Overall record: 53-6 (31 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: None Notable victories at heavyweight: Andrew Golota, Chris Arreola, Michael Grant, Eddie Chambers, Steve Cunningham Background: Adamek had a remarkable career overall. The tough, well-schooled Pole won his first 31 fights and captured titles at both light heavyweight and cruiserweight before trying his hand against the biggest boys. He started his heavyweight career with a knockout of countryman Andrew Golota and reeled off five more victories to earn a shot at then-champion Vitali Klitschko in 2011. Thatâs where things started to go south. Adamek demonstrated the grit for which he was known but ultimately was overwhelmed by a much bigger, better man. Klitschko won every round and scored a 10th-round knockout. Adamek had mixed success after that â including a five-fight winning streak â but never again fought for a world title. He retired in 2018. Why is he filed under âsuccessfulâ here? Because he beat some good opponents and earned his shot at a title. Adamek was a solid heavyweight.
***
UNSUCCESSFUL
JAMES TONEY
James Toney (right) had his best night as a heavyweight against Holyfield. AP Photo / Eric Jamison
Overall record: 77-10-3 (47 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: None Notable victories at heavyweight: Evander Holyfield, Fres Oquendo Background: Toney couldâve been classified as âsuccessfulâ here if he hadnât failed a drug test and a few other things had gone his way. âLights Outâ is generally considered one of the most-gifted boxers of his generation even though he had issues with discipline. He won titles at middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight. Toney had a so-so experience in heavyweight waters but emerged with one impressive victory, a ninth-round stoppage of 40-year-old Evander Holyfield in 2003. Â And, in 2005, he defeated John Ruiz by a unanimous decision to win a major heavyweight title. However, days later, he tested positive for a steroid, the fight was ruled no-contest and Ruiz was reinstated as champion. Toney had mixed results after that â including a one-fight return to cruiserweight in which he lost to Denis Lebedev in 2011 â and never again fought for a meaningful heavyweight belt. Toney will be remembered as a great fighter but that has little to do with his years as a heavyweight.
DWIGHT MUHAMMAD QAWI
Overall record: 41-11-1 (25 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: One (one reign) Titles at heavyweight: None Notable victories at heavyweight: None Background: Qawi, whose whirling-dervish style was reminiscent of Joe Frazer, was a beast at light heavyweight and cruiserweight. He beat a string of quality opponents and most notably gave Holyfield absolute hell in a classic 1986 cruiserweight fight before losing a split decision, all of which earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. At heavyweight? Things didnât go so well for the 5-foot-7 banger from New Jersey. Qawiâs first serious foray into the sportâs heaviest division was against George Forman in 1988 and he was stopped in seven rounds. He went back to fighting smaller men after that, with moderate success, before retiring in 1992. However, he couldnât stay away. He returned once more as a heavyweight at 44 years old, beat two journeyman, lost to one (Tony LaRosa) and then walked away for good. Qawi (originally Dwight Braxton) is remembered as a fine light heavyweight and cruiserweight who was just too small to make it at heavyweight.
CARLOS DE LEON
Overall record: 53-8-1 (33 KOs) Titles at cruiserweight: Four (four reigns) Titles at heavyweight: None Notable victories at heavyweight: None Background: People might forget how good De Leon was at cruiserweight in the 1980s, although he had his ups and downs. The Puerto Rican had four reigns as WBC cruiserweight champ, meaning he lost his belt three times â including once by knockout against Evander Holyfield — but he had the resilience and determination to regain it three times before losing it for good. He had victories over Marvin Camel (twice), Leon Spinks and Yaqui Lopez, and he drew with Johnny Nelson. He was on a win streak at cruiserweight in 1994 when he decided to move up to move up to heavyweight. He failed. He was stopped by Corrie Sanders in only 49 seconds in his heavyweight debut and lasted less than three rounds against Brian Nielsen three months later. He never fought again after that. De Leon died at 60 this past January.
Anthony Joshua on Friday weighed in 18ž pounds heavier than Oleksandr Usyk.
Rumors that Oleksandr Usyk put on considerable weight and Anthony Josh lost some proved to be exaggerations.
Usyk, the former cruiserweight champion, weighed in at 221Âź pounds a day ahead of his title challenge Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Thatâs exactly four more than he weighed when he outpointed Derek Chisora last October.
Joshua, who holds three of the four major titles, came in at 240 pounds. Thatâs three quarters of a pound less than he weighed for his knockout of Kubrat Pulev in December.
Thus, the 6-foot-6 Joshua outweighed the 6-3 Usyk by a 18ž pounds.
For Usyk, the extra poundage does represent a steady, albeit slow climb in weight since he moved up from the 200-pound division. He has weighed in at 215, 217Âź and now 221Âź for his three heavyweight fights, which has given him some needed heft in the land of the behemoths.
The Ukrainian is trying to become only the third former cruiserweight titleholder to become a heavyweight champion, after Evander Holyfield and David Haye.
Holyfield, who fought at cruiserweight when the limit was 190, weighed 208 pounds for his first heavyweight title fight, a third-round knockout of 246-pound Buster Douglas in 1990 that gave him the undisputed championship.
Haye, a 200-pound cruiserweight, weighed 217 when he defeated 316-pound Nikolai Valuev by a majority decision to win the WBA heavyweight belt in 2009.
This isnât Joshuaâs biggest weight advantage. Most recently, the IBF, WBA and WBO titleholder outweighed Alexander Povetkin by 23Âź pounds in September 2018.
Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) was outweighed by Chazz Witherspoon and Chisora by 27 and 38Âź pounds, respectively, in his first two fights as a heavyweight. He is closest in size to Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs).
Anthony Joshua on Friday weighed in 18ž pounds heavier than Oleksandr Usyk.
Rumors that Oleksandr Usyk put on considerable weight and Anthony Josh lost some proved to be exaggerations.
Usyk, the former cruiserweight champion, weighed in at 221Âź pounds a day ahead of his title challenge Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Thatâs exactly four more than he weighed when he outpointed Derek Chisora last October.
Joshua, who holds three of the four major titles, came in at 240 pounds. Thatâs three quarters of a pound less than he weighed for his knockout of Kubrat Pulev in December.
Thus, the 6-foot-6 Joshua outweighed the 6-3 Usyk by a 18ž pounds.
For Usyk, the extra poundage does represent a steady, albeit slow climb in weight since he moved up from the 200-pound division. He has weighed in at 215, 217Âź and now 221Âź for his three heavyweight fights, which has given him some needed heft in the land of the behemoths.
The Ukrainian is trying to become only the third former cruiserweight titleholder to become a heavyweight champion, after Evander Holyfield and David Haye.
Holyfield, who fought at cruiserweight when the limit was 190, weighed 208 pounds for his first heavyweight title fight, a third-round knockout of 246-pound Buster Douglas in 1990 that gave him the undisputed championship.
Haye, a 200-pound cruiserweight, weighed 217 when he defeated 316-pound Nikolai Valuev by a majority decision to win the WBA heavyweight belt in 2009.
This isnât Joshuaâs biggest weight advantage. Most recently, the IBF, WBA and WBO titleholder outweighed Alexander Povetkin by 23Âź pounds in September 2018.
Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) was outweighed by Chazz Witherspoon and Chisora by 27 and 38Âź pounds, respectively, in his first two fights as a heavyweight. He is closest in size to Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs).
Odds: Joshua 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card:Â Lawrence Okolie vs. Dilan Prasovic, cruiserweights (for Okolieâs WBO title); Callum Smith vs. Lenin Castillo, light heavyweights
Prediction: Joshua UD 12
Background: Joshua was expected to meet British rival and fellow titleholder Tyson Fury in his next fight, which arguably would be the biggest possible event in boxing. Instead, after Fury was forced to fight Deontay Wilder a third time, Joshua will defend against mandatory challenger Usyk. Joshua is two fights removed from the biggest nightmare of his career, a stunning seventh-round knockout loss against Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019 that cost him his belts and raised questions about his toughness. He responded by outpointing an ill-prepared Ruiz six months to regain his titles and right his ship. He then blew out Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds this past December, his most-recent fight. Usyk is trying to follow in the footsteps of Evander Holyfield and David Haye, cruiserweight titleholders who went on to become heavyweight champion. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist from Ukraine has fought twice as a heavyweight, stopping Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds in October 2019 and defeating Derek Chisora by a decision in a competitive fight a year later. He has the ability to compete with Joshua but a size disadvantage might be an issue, although his handlers insist he has grown into the division. Joshua is 6-foot-6, 240-plus pounds; Usyk is 6-3 and last fought at 217Âź. The winner on Saturday could face the winner of the Oct. 9 Fury-Wilder fight.
