Oleksandr Usyk snubs Tyson Fury in naming hardest puncher he has faced

06 June 2024 , 10:59

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Oleksandr Usyk snubs Tyson Fury in naming hardest puncher he has faced

Oleksandr Usyk claims neither Tyson Fury nor Anthony Joshua punched as hard as Dereck Chisora.

Usyk won the undisputed heavyweight world titles when he beat Fury in their historic fight last month. Their rematch was expected to take place in October but has since been announced for December 21. Usyk admitted Fury was his toughest challenger to date but surprisingly backed Chisora as a bigger puncher.

"I would say toughest fight, yes, but I think biggest punch, no," Usyk said of Fury on the Three Knockdown rule. "When asked who hit him the hardest, Usyk replied: "Derek Chisora, very tough guy. With Derek, I don't remember which hand if it was left or fight but I would block it and it would be like a baseball bat. It was very dangerous.

Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury on points (PA)

Usyk isn't thinking about his second fight against Fury for at least a few months as he added: "Now it's just time to relax. Eight months was my preparation for that fight and I missed all of my children's birthdays, the birth of my daughter and New Year. I missed out because I was doing my training camp for eight months. I would train three times a day at 5am, 12pm and 6pm."

All four heavyweight world titles won't be on the line for Usyk and Fury's rematch as the Ukrainian is expected to be stripped of his IBF belt soon. The world title will likely be up for grabs when Anthony Joshua fights at Wembley Stadium in September but Usyk's manager Egis Klimas doesn't think the belt should be taken from the Ukrainian.

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"We’re waiting for a decision to be made,” Klimas told Boxing Scene. “I think it’s more important for Tyson Fury now. Oleksandr, of course, is a two-time unified champion and if the next fight is just for the three belts, I don’t think it’s going to be fair for either of the two guys, either Tyson or for Oleksandr.

“As far as importance, I think it’s more important for Team Fury to get this title. Imagine if Fury wins – he’s not going to be undisputed, so he is losing the chance. The rematch, the clause, was so both guys had the chance to be undisputed. I hope the IBF are going to make the right decision."

Harry Davies