Oleksandr Usyk, the newly crowned undisputed heavyweight world champion, has surprised many by naming Dereck Chisora as the hardest puncher he has faced, snubbing both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in the process.
Despite defeating Fury in their historic bout last month, Usyk pointed to Chisora’s formidable punching power, describing it as akin to being hit by a baseball bat.
Speaking on the Three Knockdown rule, Usyk admitted that while Fury presented his toughest challenge in the ring, it was Chisora’s punches that left a lasting impression on him. Usyk’s revelation comes amid discussions surrounding his upcoming rematch with Fury, which has been slated for December 21 following their previous encounter.
Following his grueling eight-month training camp for the Fury fight, Usyk expressed his intention to take a well-deserved break, highlighting the sacrifices he made, including missing significant family events.
However, uncertainty looms over Usyk’s future as the IBF is expected to strip him of his title, casting a shadow over the rematch with Fury. Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, voiced concerns over the fairness of this decision, emphasizing its implications for Fury’s pursuit of undisputed status.
