Derek Chisora is not quite ready to anoint Oleksandr Usyk as the very best there is.
Chisora was the second man to welcome Usyk up to the top division after the former undisputed cruiserweight champion first dipped his toe in at heavyweight with a win over Chazz Witherspoon in the US.
When he and ‘Del Boy’ fought in London in October 2020, the Brit put up a fine showing and pushed him hard the whole way though never looked too much like securing the victory, as Usyk ran out a points winner.
Since that night, Usyk has grown in stature in the banner division. He has twice beaten Anthony Joshua over 24 rounds, knocked out Daniel Dubois inside nine and twice beaten Tyson Fury over 24 to make him the undisputed champion and first man in the four belt era to achieve that feat.
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Now, Usyk is looking to become a two-time undisputed champion, and to do that he must beat IBF belt holder Dubois for a second time.
However, the Ukrainian has been ordered to face WBO top contender Joseph Parker, a man in form and a man Chisora has told The Ring that he thinks Usyk must beat to truly prove himself.
“If he wants to prove he’s the best he needs to defend his title against Joseph Parker. To be the best you have to fight everybody. He’s boxed Tyson Fury twice, AJ twice. He’s boxed me once. He’s boxed Daniel Dubois once. So I think he should give a shot to Joseph Parker now.”
Chisora is looking to secure his 50th and final fight before retirement and was recently told he will be called as the IBF mandatory for Dubois’s title, however there is a general feeling that the Usyk vs Dubois undisputed clash will trump both mandatory defences.
