Oleksandr Usyk won a tough and hard fought 12-round unanimous decision over Derek Chisora in a heavyweught at the SSE Arena in London

After a fast start by Chiora where he threw a lot of punches over the first half of the fight, Usyk started to find his mark, especially in round seven, where he landed combinations that started to make Chisora go back. The two waged a tough battle down the stretch, but it was Usyk who was able to settle the pace down and pick away at a tiring Chisora and come home with the 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 victory.

Usuk, 217.4 lbs of Ukraine is 18-0. Chisora, 255.8 lbs is 32-10.

“I was very happy to be back in the ring,” Usyk told Matchroom afterwards. “I haven’t fought for more than a year. It was a huge pleasure for me. You saw my smile when I went into the ring. I really want to thank god for this victory. Derek has big power, he has strong punches but I was prepared for it.

“I didn’t think about his boxing IQ. All I was thinking about was the boxing and what I wanted to do. I am very thankful for Derek giving me this opportunity. I am very thankful to this family and his team. I am happy. He is a good man. Anthony (Joshua), how are you? I am coming for you.”

Usyk told Sky Sports: “Chisora a big guy, a hard guy. I was expecting a fight like that, I was expecting a tougher fight. My plan is to go to my home, maximum time with my family. Training and improving myself. Not just World Champion, the Undisputed World Champion [is my aim].”

A disappointed Chisora reacted to defeat: “I feel great. I was pushing the pace. I’m just disappointed with the result, gutted. To everybody who can’t make it [to the fight], I’m gutted for everybody. In the Heavyweight game, you have to fight not box. I gave a couple of rounds away.”

Kambosos Jr. Decisions Selby in Title Eliminator

George Kambosos Jr. won a 12-round split decision over former featherweight champion Lee Selby in an IBF Lightweight Title Elimination bout.

Kambosos, 134.9 lbs of Australia won by scores of 118-110 and 116-112, while Selby won a card 115-114.

Kambosos is now 19-0. Selby, 134.9 lbs of Wales is 28-3.

“I can’t get this smile off my face,” said Kambosos Jr. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I dug deep and I won a lot of them rounds. The big shots landed and I thought he was hurt a few times. That’s a former World Champion. The guy is still a very respected fighter. It was a great win. That’s two former World Champions in their backyards. I’m a road warrior. I’m a proud Aussie. I knew I won the fight. The whole time people thought I was being arrogant. I was never arrogant to him. It’s just confidence and self belief. I’m a young hungry lion. I was never arrogant to him. I respect him. 

“I knew the job I would do. I’m a confident fighter and I back my ability. I thought I hurt him a few times and I thought he nearly went. He’s an experienced guy and he beat Ricky Burns in his last fight. I’m the young hungry guy coming up. That was a great win. That’s another twelve rounds in my bank. The body shots busted him up. The right hand to the body, the stiff jab to the body. I was very composed. I feel like I’m in my prime. There’s so much more work to do. I’m coming for the Unified Lightweight World Title against Teofimo Lopez. Two young hungry fighters!”

Marshall Stops Rankin in 7 To win Middleweight Title

Savannah Marshall won the WBO Middleweight title with a 7th round stoppage over Hannah Rankin

In round seven, Rankin took a knee after being battered around the whole ring, and the bout was stopped at 1:59.

Marshall, 159.4 lbs of Hardspool, UK is 9-0 with seven knockouts. Rankin, 158 .4 of Glasgow, SCO is 9-5.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” Marshall told Matchroom. “Fair play to Hannah. She’s an amazing fighter with big heart and I’ve got loads of respect for her. I’m just thrilled to bits. I knew I was good enough. I’ve always known I was good enough. The chances have just never been there for me. Thank god it came tonight. Me and Hannah sold that fight, we really sold that fight. I don’t know what it was like for her but there was no real bad blood there for me. 

“With Peter testing positive two weeks ago, I thought that was just typical me! I just had to ride the wave. I think England has got the best female professional boxers. COVID was a blessing because it’s brought them all out. I’m the first female boxer to be an amateur World Champion and a professional World Champion. I beat the men. I beat the men to it. It’s just a dream. 

“The pool isn’t that big at the higher weights. I’d like to go up to Super-Middleweight. I’m not really interested in Super-Welter. I think my power stays at Middle. I’ve just battered Claressa Shields’ mate. I’ve just battered her best mate. I’m sure she said Hannah was going to stop me. So what does that say about her boxing IQ. She couldn’t get Rankin out of there. Hannah is a brave fighter. Claressa couldn’t do that. Me against Shields is the biggest fight in women’s boxing. Let’s get it on. I want a piece of it.”

McCarthy Decisions Laggoune to Win European Cruiserweight Title

Tommy McCarthy won the European Cruiserweight Title with a 12-round majority decision over Bilal Laggoune.

McCarthy, 199.8 lbs of Belfast, NI won by scores of 116-112, 116-113 and 114-114 to raise his mark to 17-2. Laggoune, 199.8 lbs of Belgium is 25-2-2.

“I’m over the moon,” McCarthy told Matchroom. “It’s taken a lifetime of work to get to this point. This is just the beginning for me. I want bigger and better things. I’m so happy and proud of myself. I’m proud of my team. I can’t even remember what the scores were to be honest, but as long as they had me winning, that’s all that matters. It’s surreal. I thought I was going to start balling my eyes out. I couldn’t go back home and have everyone slagging me for being a cry baby! I held it together and I’m still holding it together! I’m emotional because this has been a long time coming. 

“I’ve been knocking on the door for a long time. Now it’s all starting to come into play. I’d like to shout out my team; Mark Dunlop, Pete Taylor and everyone else for making this possible. Next year I would love to fight Mairis Briedis. He’s the number one Cruiserweight in the world, and I want to be number one.He is the guy I want, but I’d take any one of them to be honest. Anyone who has a belt, big Mac is onto you! I know my family are proud. I’m looking forward to getting home to them in the morning. Hopefully they will spoil me, I don’t want to do any housework for the next two weeks!

“I should probably thank Richard Riakporhe for giving me the kick up the ass that I needed. It’s never happening again (losing). I’m here now. I’m the champion of Europe. The world is my oyster. Peter has moulded me into the boxer that I knew I always could be. This is the one thing that I know I can do very well. I wasn’t going to let anyone stop me doing it. Shout out to everybody in West Belfast and shout out to everyone in Greater Belfast.”

Ramla Ali won her pro debut with a six-round decision over Eva Hubmeyer in a super bantamweight fight.

Ali, 124.9 lbs of Bethnel Green won by a 60-54 score and is 1-0. Hubmeyer, 128.8 lbs of Germany is 1-1.

“I’m not going to say I was crap, but I was a bit disappointed with how I performed tonight,” Ali told Matchroom afterwards. “I allowed her, being a shorter opponent, to get into range way too much. I think it was just the nerves kicking in with it being my professional debut. I think I let all of that get to me and I allowed her to get into range. I should have kept her long. I think that’s what I’m most disappointed with. 

“When you come from the amateurs and you go into international competitions, you don’t get a say in who you’re going to compete with. You could have someone that is rushing at you like a bulldog and you just have to keep them away as much as possible. I feel like my years in the amateurs prepared me for that. The majority of the time I knew how to keep her away. My experience came into play there for sure. 

“It felt amazing when I connected with her face with the smaller gloves. When it lands on your face it isn’t nice! You have to take some to give some. The majority of the time you don’t really feel it because of all of the adrenaline that is rushing through you. It’s a huge difference to the amateurs but I’m learning to appreciate it.

“I think I’ve been promised an opportunity on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev unless things chance, so I’m really hoping to have another fight this year. The last fight I had was in February. It has been a long time out. They always say you get quite rusty when you come back in. I’m hoping to improve on tonight’s performance in December for sure. I hope I was entertaining. I hope people enjoyed watching me tonight.”

Amy Timlin and Carky Skelly battled to a 10-round draw in a super bantamweight contest.

Timlin won a scorecard 96-95; Skelly 97-96 and 95-95.

Timlin, 120.8 lbs of Southam is 4-0-1. Skelly, 119.8 lbs of Liverpool is 3-0-1.

“It was heartbreaking because I’ve trained so hard for it,” Timlin told Sky Sports afterwards. “You can’t really fault the result because it was a close fight, and I thought I won some rounds and she won some rounds. I think it was a fair decision. I would love to do that fight again. I think styles make fights. That was a really good fight and I’d love to do the rematch. It could have gone either way.”

“It’s frustrating,” Skelly told Sky Sports afterwards. “It was quite close early on but I thought I came on stronger at the end. It’s hard to say. I’ll have to watch it back and see what I think. I thought I done enough. Just being here tonight was a boss opportunity for the both of us. Hopefully we get to do it again and we’ll get it decided in the next one. 100% I’d do it again.”

West Ham United winger Andriy Yarmolenko is hoping to lead a memorable Ukrainian sporting double this evening. 

First, Yarmolenko and the Hammers will go for Premier League victory at reigning Champions Liverpool, before former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk takes centre stage with Derek Chisora at The SSE Arena, Wembley. 

The pair are arguably two of biggest sporting names in their country, and the Hammers star has wished his compatriot luck.

“Oleksandr! Welcome to London! I wish you good luck in your fight!” Yarmolenko smiled. “All Ukrainians will be supporting you.”

Usyk received a package of Claret and Blue goodies from the No.7 at his hotel, where he sat down with Matchroom to talk about his love of football, his admiration for Yarmolenko and look back on his Gold Medal winning performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“We have to support each other,” said the 33-year-old. “He is a Ukrainian and I am a Ukrainian too. It doesn’t matter where we are. At the moment we are far away from our country, Andriy is playing for a London team and I am fighting in London too. This is totally normal that we have to support each other. 

“If his team will win Andriy will win and will bring victory to Ukraine. The main thing for me is that Andriy will be playing there. If he wins it will be a victory for Ukraine as well.”

Saturday’s sporting double will both be broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports, with West Ham’s Premier League clash with Liverpool kicking-off at 5.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League, followed by Usyk’s bout with Chisora that will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office, with coverage starting at 6pm.

Heavyweights Usyk and Chisora go toe-to-toe in London on a stacked card that also features Lee Selby (28-2, 9 KOs) and George Kambosos Jr (18-0, 10 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title, Hartlepool’s Savannah Marshall (8-0, 6 KOs) meets Glasgow’s Hannah Rankin (9-4, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBO Middleweight World title, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (16-2, 8 KOs) takes on Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune (25-1-2, 14 KOs) for the vacant European Cruiserweight Title, Amy Timlin (4-0) faces off with Carly Skelly (3-0) for the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title and Ramla Ali makes her professional debut against Eva Hubmeyer (1-0, 1 KO). 

Oleksandr Usyk’s huge Heavyweight clash with Derek Chisora will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live as part of a BBC deal with Matchroom Boxing that also includes Anthony Joshua’s next fight against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday December 12. 

Mike Costello and Steve Bunce will be ringside at The SSE Arena Wembley, with special guest Dillian Whyte joining the team as co-commentator from his training camp in Portugal, as he prepares for his must-win rematch with Alexander Povetkin on November 21. 

Chisora’s showdown with Usyk kick starts a busy spell in British boxing, with BBC Radio 5 Live airing ringside commentary for four huge upcoming fight nights. The deal also includes Katie Taylor’s Lightweight World Title clash with Miriam Gutierrez on November 14 and Billy Joe Saunders’ all-British Super-Middleweight World Title showdown with Martin Murray on December 4.

BBC Sport Boxing Correspondent, Mike Costello said: “We were there for Anthony Joshua’s redemption mission in Saudi Arabia last December and we’ll be back at ringside for his first fight in more than a year. With Billy Joe Saunders also back in action and Katie Taylor topping a bill featuring three women’s World Title fights, we’ve rarely featured a more hectic spell of boxing on 5 Live. Joshua’s showdown against Kubrat Pulev closes out an unprecedented run of fights in British Heavyweight boxing and it all begins at The SSE Arena, Wembley tonight.”  

Matchroom Boxing CEO, Frank Smith said: “Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora kicks off a busy schedule as we close out a difficult year in style, and I’m delighted that Mike Costello and the team at BBC Radio 5 Live will be broadcasting tonight’s huge Heavyweight clash, as well as Katie Taylor’s Lightweight World Title fight with Miriam Gutierrez on November 14, Billy Joe Saunders’ all-British Super-Middleweight World Title showdown with Martin Murray on December 4 and Anthony Joshua’s mandatory defence against Kubrat Pulev on December 12.”

See below for a breakdown of the fights within the BBC deal with Matchroom Boxing:

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora – Saturday 31st Oct (live coverage from 10.30pm)

Katie Taylor vs. Miriam Gutierrez – Sat 14th Nov

Billy Joe Saunders vs. Martin Murray – Fri 4th Dec

Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev – Sat 12th Dec

Live coverage of each fight will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

17:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FACEBOOK

10 x 2 mins vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title 
AMY TIMLIN 8st 8lbs 8oz v CARLY SKELLY 8st 7lbs 8oz
(Southam)                             (Liverpool)

Followed by

18:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS BOX OFFICE

10 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest  
KASH FAROOQ 8st 8lbs 6ozv  MARTIN TECUAPETLA 8st 10lbs 8oz         
(Glasgow)                                    (Mexico)

followed by

6 x 2 mins Super-Bantamweight contest 
RAMLA ALI 8st 12lbs 12oz v EVA HUBMEYER 9st 2lbs 8oz
(Bethnal Green)                      (Germany)

followed by

12 x 3 mins vacant EBU European Cruiserweight Title 
TOMMY MCCARTHY 14st 3lbs 8oz v BILAL LAGGOUNE 14st 3lbs 8oz
(Belfast)                                                (Belgium)

followed by

10 x 2 mins vacant WBO Middleweight World Title
SAVANNAH MARSHALL 11st 5lbs 4oz v HANNAH RANKIN 11st 4lbs 4oz
(Hartlepool)                                                (Glasgow)

followed by

12 x 3 mins IBF Lightweight World Title Final Eliminator
LEE SELBY 9st 8lbs 12ozv GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR 9st 8lbs 12oz
(Wales)                                   (Australia)

followed by

12 x 3 mins WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title
OLEKSANDR USYK 15st 7lbs 4ozv DEREK CHISORA 18st 3lbs 8oz
(Ukraine)                                              (Finchley)

UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov says he wants to see former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk take on WBC Heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury.

Dana White hailed Russia’s Nurmagomedov as the ‘GOAT’ and pound-for-pound best after he sensationally retired following his second-round stoppage of Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi.

The undefeated Lightweight World Champion is a long-time fan of boxing, and was even spotted ringside for Anthony Joshua’s huge rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia last year, but it is Ukraine’s Usyk he wants to see share the ring with ‘The Gypsy King’, not ‘AJ’.

When asked for his assessment of the sport, prior to Vasiliy Lomachenko’s loss to Teofimo Lopez in Las Vegas, Khabib told reporters: “Right now, I think three guys. Oleksandr Usyk, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Canelo Alvarez.

“Oh sorry, Tyson Fury too. Four guys. It’s very hard [to decide] who is the best.

“I really want to see Usyk vs Fury. It’s gonna be a very good fight. He [Usyk] has very good skill and technique, Tyson Fury too.

“He is not like other Heavyweights, more technique, his footwork is very good, his conditioning is very good, I really wanna watch Usyk against Fury.”

Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) sits as WBO Mandatory Challenger to Joshua, but must first deal with an in-form Derek Chisora at The SSE Arena Wembley on Saturday, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in all of its nine markets including the U.S.

Usyk vs. Chisora tops a huge night of action, Lee Selby (28-2, 9 KOs) and George Kambosos Jr (18-0, 10 KOs) meet in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title, Heavyweight fan favourite Dave Allen (18-5-2, 15 KOs) returns against America’s KO artist Christopher Lovejoy (19-0, 19 KOs), Hartlepool’s Savannah Marshall (8-0, 6 KOs) takes on Glasgow’s Hannah Rankin (9-4, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBO Middleweight World Title, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (16-2, 8 KOs) meets Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune (25-1-2, 14 KOs) for the vacant European Cruiserweight Title and Amy Timlin (4-0) faces off with Carly Skelly (3-0) for the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title.

Dave Allen will fight Christopher Lovejoy on the undercard of the blockbuster Heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Derek Chisora at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday October 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all of its nine markets including the U.S.

Fan favourite Allen was due to make his ring return against Christian Hammer before the German was forced out after testing positive for COVID-19 now meets undefeated Christopher Lovejoy whose 100% KO record from his 19 professional bouts see him ranked in the top 15 with the WBA.

2019 held mixed fortunes for Allen, who has now linked up with trainer Jamie Moore, with ‘The White Rhino’ looking to end Lovejoy’s unbeaten run in style.

“I’m looking forward to this fight with Chris,” said Allen. “He’s positioned 15th with the WBA and I’d love to take that World ranking. He’s a big, strong man and just look at his record – He’s done what’s been asked of him in those 19 fights. There’s not much footage of him, so I don’t know really know what I’m preparing for which adds to the intrigue but I’m going in there to do a number on him.”

“I finally made it here to the U.K!” said Lovejoy. “I’m here to shock the world and show what Chris Lovejoy is really about. Dave will end up number 20 on my record. I’ve travelled a long way so I just hope he shows up!”

“This is fascinating,” added promoter Eddie Hearn. “Here we have this giant in Christopher Lovejoy that has amassed 19 wins with 19 KOs against limited opposition and has somehow found himself in the world top 15. The truth is, he might be an absolute beast or he may get found out but for Dave Allen it’s a huge opportunity. There will be plenty of eyeballs on this fight and if Dave can get the win he will force himself into the World rankings and land a major fight in 2021. I have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen but I’m excited to find out!”

Allen vs. Lovejoy lands of huge night of action which sees former Undisputed Cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk and Derek Chisora meet in a thrilling Heavyweight clash, Lee Selby and George KambososJr square off in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title, Savannah Marshall and Hannah Rankin collide for the WBO Middleweight crown, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy fights Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune for the European Cruiserweight Title and Amy Timlin faces off with Carly Skelly for the Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title.

Derek Chisora says Oleksandr Usyk is in store for the “fright of his life” when they collide in a Heavyweight Halloween blockbuster at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday October 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all of its nine markets including the U.S.

‘WAR’ Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) intends on giving Usyk nightmares in his second fight up at Heavyweight, and the Finchley powerhouse heads into next weekend’s clash in terrifying form having scored big knockout wins over Artur Szpika and David Price at The O2 in 2019. 

“On October 31st, Oleksandr Usyk is going to get the fright of his life,” said Chisora. “He wants to claim he is at the top of the food chain, but if he wants to do that he needs to box a true Heavyweight. It’s a fight, the guy is going to chuck the kitchen sink at me. I’m just going to bite down on the gum shield and let god take over. I am coming for war!

“The fight sells itself, he is a good fighter and is loved by the English fans. Even people who don’t like boxing love watching him and he’s fighting myself. There is nothing bad about this fight, there’s not hatred, it’s all about the love for the sport.

“He’s not scary, it’s a fight. He’s a man and I’m a man. The worst thing that can happen is you get knocked out. I will make sure that when Usyk gets out that ring he knows he has been in a fight. Seek and destroy, no mercy! That’s what we’re aiming for.”

Usyk vs. Chisora tops a huge night of action, Lee Selby (28-2, 9 KOs) and George Kambosos Jr (18-0, 10 KOs) meet in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title, Heavyweight fan favourite Dave Allen (18-5-2, 15 KOs) returns, Hartlepool’s Savannah Marshall (8-0, 6 KOs) takes on Glasgow’s Hannah Rankin (9-4, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBO Middleweight World Title, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (16-2, 8 KOs) meets Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune (25-1-2, 14 KOs) for the vacant European Cruiserweight Title and Amy Timlin (4-0) faces off with Carly Skelly (3-0) for the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title.

Matchroom Boxing are delighted to announce Betfred as the official title partner for Oleksandr Usyk’s highly-anticipated Heavyweight clash with Derek Chisora at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday October 31, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. 
 
Pound-for-pound star Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) made the move to Heavyweight after dominating at Cruiserweight, winning all of the major belts in an extraordinary spell at 200lbs that saw him crowned the Undisputed World Champion. 
 
The 2012 Olympic Gold medallist is determined to become a two-weight World Champion but faces an in-form Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) who is coming into this fight off the back of two devastating KO wins over Artur Szpilka and David Price. 
 
Usyk vs. Chisora is supported by an all-action undercard as Lee Selby (28-2, 9 KOs) and George Kambosos Jr (18-0, 10 KOs) meet in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title, Heavyweight fan favourite Dave Allen (18-5-2, 15 KOs) returns, Hartlepool’s Savannah Marshall (8-0, 6 KOs) meets Glasgow’s Hannah Rankin (9-4, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBO Middleweight World Title, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (16-2, 8 KOs) takes on Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune (25-1-2, 14 KOs) for the vacant European Cruiserweight Title and Amy Timlin (4-0) faces off with Carly Skelly (3-0) for the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title.
 
Fred Done, Owner of Betfred, said: “We enjoy a fantastic relationship with Barry Hearn’s Matchroom Sport through our sponsorship of snooker and darts, so I am delighted to be joining up with Matchroom Boxing for what should be a superb Heavyweight clash.”
 
Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport, said: “Betfred have been a huge supporter of Matchroom events over the years, especially through their World championship snooker partnership and I am delighted to welcome them onboard for this huge fight next week, and look forward to delivering them unprecedented global exposure and a thrilling night for Betfred and fight fans around the world.”

Matchroom Boxing will take over The SSE Arena, Wembley for four events in October, November and December, starting with the highly-anticipated Heavyweight showdown between pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk and Derek Chisora on Saturday October 31, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all of its nine markets including the U.S., and ending with a night of World Championship boxing on Friday December 4 that will be announced shortly.

Over the course of six weeks, the famous venue in North-West London will play host to colossal Heavyweight rematches, historic World Title triple-headers, all-British World Title clashes, European Title action and British and Commonwealth Title fights as Matchroom close out the year in style with a packed schedule of boxing.

Former Undisputed Cruiserweight king Usyk and fan favourite Chisora kick things off next week on a huge night of action that sees Lee Selby and George KambososJr square off in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title, Savannah Marshall and Hannah Rankin collide for the WBO Middleweight crown, Heavyweight cult hero Dave Allen returns to action, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy meets Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune for the European Cruiserweight Title and Amy Timlin faces off with Carly Skelly for the Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title.

Then on Saturday November 14, Undisputed Lightweight queen Katie Taylor puts her belts on the line against Mandatory Challenger Miriam Gutierrez on an historic World Titletriple-header as Terri Harper faces her first WBC Mandatory challenger in Katharina Thanderz, RachelBall takes on undefeated Australian Ebanie Bridges for the WBA Bantamweight crown, Swindon’s Jamie Cox returns against ‘Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen, big-punching John Docherty steps up against Jack Arnfield and recent Matchroom Light-Heavyweight signing Thomas Whittaker-Hart meets Jermaine Springer.

The rematch that everyone is talking about lands on Saturday November 21 when Dillian Whyte looks to put things right against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin after his shock KO loss on the final weekend of Matchroom Fight Camp, fast-rising Welterweight talent Conor Benn takes a huge step up in class against Germany’s Sebastian Formella, a former IBO World Champion who went the distance with Shawn Porter in August, and big-hitting Bournemouth Cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith clashes with undefeated English Champion Deion Jumah for the British and Cruiserweight Titles, with more fights to be confirmed shortly. 

“I’m delighted to have The SSE Arena, Wembley as our new home for the next six weeks, we’ve got a remarkable schedule especially considering the current environment,” said Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport. “It’s so important to be as creative as you can with behind closed doors events and here we have a huge space that we can create a high end viewing experience for the fans at home. Whilst we have made the decision to proceed with these huge nights without a crowd, we are working hard with The SSE Arena, Wembley and the authorities to try and bring fans back safely during this period.” 

John Drury, VP & General Manager, The SSE Arena, Wembley said: “It’s such an honour that we’ve been chosen to host this Matchroom residency. We’ve seen some massive shows over the years, and circumstances now make these particularly special. Not only are they huge events in their own right, but they’ll be giving vital work to some of our supply chain contractors, which has been almost completely missing since March.”

Savannah Marshall and Hannah Rankin will contest the vacant WBO Middleweight World Title on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora on Saturday October 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

The pair were scheduled to meet on the Lewis Ritson vs. Miguel Vazquez show in Peterborough on Saturday October 17 but Marshall’s trainer Peter Fury returned a positive COVID-19 test, resulting in the fight being postponed in line with the British Boxing Board of Control rules. 

“Honestly it has been a dream to have this fight rescheduled so quickly,” said Marshall. “After the past week I’ve just been overjoyed with the news. I couldn’t have asked for a better or bigger platform than on the Usyk vs. Chisora bill. 

“It was frustrating that the fight fell through, but it’s one of those things. There was nothing I could have done about it. Peter is okay which is the main thing.

“My training won’t change and will just be like any other training routine 10 days out from a fight. Nothing will change. It hasn’t got more personal for me, as me and Rankin are just two girls that can’t wait for a dust up with each other.”

“It is great that the fight has been rescheduled so soon, thank you to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for sorting it all out,” said Rankin. “Nothing changes for me. I will be crowned WBO Middleweight World Champion on October 31.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said: “It’s fantastic news that Savannah Marshall’s World Title fight with Hannah Rankin has been swiftly rescheduled for the Usyk-Chisora bill, which is fast becoming an unmissable night of action.

“Women’s boxing has never been stronger, with Ellie Scotney showcasing her talent last weekend, and now we can look forward to an all-British battle between Marshall and Rankin, with the WBO Middleweight belt at stake. Savannah, a former Sky Scholar, has those polished amateur skills but Rankin has greater professional experience – it’s an enthralling encounter.

“Lee Selby is also targeting another World Title shot on a stacked undercard, which also features Tommy McCarthy’s European Title fight, before Usyk and Chisora take centre stage, in what promises to be a Heavyweight classic!”

Marshall vs. Rankin is part of a huge night of boxing as pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) faces his first real Heavyweight test in Derek Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs), Lee Selby (28-2, 9 KOs) and George Kambosos Jr (18-0, 10 KOs) square off in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title, Heavyweight fan favourite Dave Allen (18-5-2, 15 KOs) returns to action, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (16-2, 8 KOs) meets Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune (25-1-2, 14 KOs) for the vacant European Cruiserweight Title and Amy Timlin (4-0) faces off with Carly Skelly (3-0) for the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title.

George Kambosos Jr says he has been training ‘like a man possessed’ ahead of his crucial IBF Lightweight World Title Final Eliminator showdown with Lee Selby on the Usyk-Chisora undercard on Saturday October 31, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

A win for the undefeated Australian (18-0, 10 KOs) would see him become Mandatory Challenger for newly-crowned Unified Lightweight King Teofimo Lopez, who brilliantly overcame Vasiliy Lomachenko by a unanimous points decision in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Hailing from Sydney, 27-year-old Kambosos Jr announced himself as a rising contender in the 135lbs division by defeating former World Champion Mickey Bey on away territory at Madison Square Garden in New York last time out.

‘Ferocious’ will be aiming to make it two wins in two against former champs when he meets Wales’ former long-reigning IBF Featherweight ruler Selby next weekend on an unmissable evening of Halloween fight action.

“Beating Lee Selby means everything to me,” said Kambosos Jr. “I’m hungry, focused and have trained like a man possessed to handle business on October 31st. This is a young man’s sport and Lopez proved that against Lomachenko when he became the Unified Lightweight World Champion and I will prove it once again against Lee Selby.

“This hungry young lion will become Mandatory, that is my complete focus, this is why I have sacrificed so much and then you best believe that ‘Ferocious Kambosos’ will be primed and ready to take all the belts off another hungry, young lion in Teofimo Lopez. Let’s see who the real king of the jungle is.”

Selby (28-2, 9 KOs) edged out Scottish legend Ricky Burns via a majority decision at The O2 in London last October to stay in line for another World Title shot and now finds himself within touching distance of becoming a two-weight World Champion. 

“He’s very confident in himself,” said Selby. “If you listened to him talk you’d think he’s the next Muhammad Ali – which he’s not. Looking at his record, it’s difficult to gauge how good he really is. His best win came against Mickey Bey when he was past his best at 36 and inactive. The rest of his record is padded. 

“This fight has been a long time coming and I’m glad we’re just over a week away now. I’m one step away from a shot at the IBF Lightweight World Title and my dream of becoming Wales’ first ever two-weight World Champion.”

Selby vs. Kambosos Jr is part of a huge night of boxing as pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) faces his first real Heavyweight test in Derek Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs), Heavyweight fan favourite Dave Allen (18-5-2, 15 KOs) collides with Christian Hammer (25-6 15 KOs), Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (16-2, 8 KOs) meets Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune (25-1-2, 14 KOs) for the vacant European Cruiserweight Title and Amy Timlin (4-0) faces off with Carly Skelly (3-0) for the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title.

Fan favourite Dave Allen returns to action against Christian Hammer live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN, Saturday 31st October.

The 28 year old Conisbrough Heavyweight scored an early KO over Dorian Darch on his first outing of the year back in February, which followed a topsy-turvy 2019 with victory over Lucas Browne but defeat to David Price.

“I’m really happy to fight Christian Hammer,” said Allen. “He’s highly ranked and is a tough, strong man. A win here puts me back to fringe World level. He’s got a win over David Price so that would half put my defeat to bed.”

‘The White Rhino’ has been sparring Oleksandr Usyk in Kiev for the past two weeks and believes the experience will stand in him good stead as he links back up with trainer Jamie Moore for their first fight together.

“Sparring Usyk has taken me to another level. He’s one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. I’ve picked up so much from him and it’s given me the confidence that I will need to get through ten rounds with Hammer.”

“I am very much looking forward to this fight, I love to box in the UK. I fondly remember the victory over David Price,” said Hammer. “That is exactly where I will continue against Allen. Once I beat Allen the big fights will come my way. I appreciate this opportunity and I will not be defeated.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “This is a great fight for Dave, and absolute sink or swim time. Hammer has shown the highest of levels consistently and both fighters are looking at this opportunity as springboard to major fights. I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen or who is going to win, there’s only one way to find out!”

Allen vs Hammer joins Selby vs Kambosos Jr, McCarthy vs Laggoune and Timlin vs Skelly on the huge Usyk vs Chisora card, Saturday 31st October 2020.

Amy Timlin and Carly Skelly will contest the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN, Saturday 31st October.

The unbeaten pair were scheduled to fight earlier this month but now find themselves on the undercard to Oleksandr Usyk’s monster fight against Derek Chisora.

Rising star Timlin (4-0) is tipped for a bright future, training under the tutelage of Kieran Farrell and managed by Dave Coldwell.

“I’m buzzing for this. I’ve been training throughout lockdown and I’m ready to go. This fight will push me on, it’s all about learning. The pressure is on her, Carly will come out all guns blazing but we’ve got a steady game plan. I can’t wait for the first bell, this platform is huge,” revealed Timlin.

“I’m really exited to have Amy on such a massive show like this. Thanks to Eddie for giving us a slot in these testing times. Amy is a fantastic fighter, at 20 years old I think she’ll show people in the next year or two she is the next generation of flag bearers coming through in Women’s boxing,” said Coldwell. 

Southpaw Scouser Skelly (3-0) splits her time working in Children’s nursing, training out of the North Mersey ABC gym and raising her two young children.

“It’s been a long camp having to juggle things about but I’ve had some time off recently to concentrate on the fight,” said Skelly. “It’s a massive risk for Amy to take at her age, she won’t have felt power like this from a more mature fighter. This fight opens doors, I believe in myself and want to reach World level.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “We’ve seen some amazing domestic fights recently in women’s boxing and this is another cracker. Two unbeaten fighters gunning for a World Title, the winner here will put themselves into contention for just that in 2021.”

Timlin vs Skelly joins McCarthy vs Laggoune and Selby vs Kambosos Jr on the Usyk-Chisora undercard with more additions to be confirmed shortly.

Lee Selby will take on George Kambosos Jr in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title on the undercard of the blockbuster Heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Derek Chisora on Saturday October 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

The pair were due to meet in Selby’s native Wales at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff earlier this year in May before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forced the event to be postponed, but the rivals now have a chance to lock horns following a spicy build-up over the past few months. 

Selby (28-2, 9 KOs), a former IBF Featherweight World Champion, edged out Scottish legend Ricky Burns via a majority decision at The O2 in London last October to stay in line for another World Title shot and now finds himself within touching distance of becoming a two-weight World Champion. 

Kambosos Jr (18-0, 10 KOs), hailing from Sydney in Australia, defeated former World Champion Mickey Bey on away territory at Madison Square Garden in New York last time out to announce himself as a rising star of the Lightweight division and has vowed to ‘retire’ Selby.

“I’m delighted that Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing have managed to get this fight on again,” said Selby. “I’m one step away from a shot at the IBF Lightweight World Title and my dream of becoming Wales’ first ever two-weight World Champion.

“Kambosos Jr is a hungry young fighter that I know will bring it all, but I’ve had some of my best performances against Australian boxers stopping both Corey McConnell and Joel Brunker in title fights and October 31 will be no different.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said: “Lee Selby’s crucial clash with George Kambosos Jr is an exciting addition to the Usyk vs Chisora bill, with more fantastic fights to follow in the coming weeks.

“The classy Welshman is one of Britain’s most skilful operators, but the dangerous Kambosos Jr will be determined to fulfil his own ambitions. Can Lee Selby produce a vintage performance to earn another world Title fight? We’ll find out on October 31st before Usyk and Chisora collide in an enthralling Heavyweight showdown!”

In line with the BBBofC and Government guidelines relating to COVID-19, Matchroom Boxing have postponed all events scheduled to be taking place in May, including Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin at Manchester Arena on May 2, Lee Selby vs. George Kambosos Jr at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on May 9 and Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora at The O2 in London on May 23.
 
Subject to the developing situation, Whyte’s Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title clash with Povetkin has been rescheduled to Saturday July 4^th, while Selby’s IBF Lightweight World Title Final Eliminator against Kambosos Jr has been rescheduled to Saturday July 11^th. Tickets will be valid for these rescheduled dates or refunds will be available from your point of purchase.
 
A new date for Usyk’s blockbuster Heavyweight showdown with Chisora is also being worked on, with tickets remaining valid for the rescheduled date once announced and refunds available from your point of purchase.
 
The health and safety of the boxers, staff, event contractors and fans involved with our events remains the top priority for Matchroom Boxing and we thank everyone for their understanding. We look forward to bringing world class boxing events back to these shores as soon as it is safe to do so.
 
Our thoughts are with everybody affected by the COVID-19 outbreak at this difficult time.

Eddie Hearn:

“Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for making it to central London today amongst the madness. We are all systems go, May 23^rd, O2 Arena, huge huge Heavyweight clash between WBO No.1, the Mandatory Challenger for the Heavyweight Championship of the World Oleksandr Usyk against Derek ‘WAR’ Chisora.

“As I said, May 23^rd O2 Arena, Sky Sports Box Office, DAZN across America as well, and we can’t wait for this one. It’s been a fight that was brewing for a long time, in fact Alex Krassyuk just said to me ‘you owe Usyk a drink for not going on March 28’. We might have had a major problem, but just under eleven weeks away, we’re confident this fight is going to go ahead with no problems at all.

“We had presale yesterday with The O2, it was sensational, we had Matchroom FightPass today, and we have General Sale at The O2 Arena tomorrow. Before we speak to the fighters and speak to the teams, I’m going to pass over to Sky Sports’ Head of Boxing Development Adam Smith.” 

Adam Smith, Sky Sports’ Head of Boxing Development:

“This is a fantastic fight on May 23rd in London, it’s been a long time coming. Derek Chisora has had a rejuvenated time in the last couple of years. Him, David and his team really fancy this massive fight. Oleksandr Usyk, it’s been punch-perfect throughout his entire amateur and professional career. A wonderful fighter and an amazing Cruiserweight, Unified the belts and a fantastic victory over Tony Bellew.

“He’s dipping his toes into the Heavyweight division, now he goes in with a real genuine, tough, strong fired up Heavyweight in Derek Chisora. I think it’s a mouth-watering match, I think it’s got a bit of everything. We will learn so much more about Oleksandr at Heavyweight. I think we’ll know if Derek Chisora can get that World Title shot. He’s still around and he’s still firing. Fantastic times for Heavyweight boxing and another wonderful match.”

Oleksandr Usyk – Kiev, Ukraine – 17-0, 13 KO’s – fighting Derek Chisora in a Heavyweight clash:

“I am very happy to be back here and I really hope that this fight will take place. He’s a really big guy and he hits hard. I will train hard and I will be in the best shape for this fight and I tell you once again, I love boxing very much, I love to box.”

Alexander Krassyuk, K2 Promotions:

“Now we are back in the UK, it’s time for the Heavyweight challenge. Many people say that Derek Chisora is probably the best option for Usyk to test himself in the Heavyweights, which I do agree with. The thing I disagree with is that people say it’s going to be an easy fight for Usyk. I don’t think so. I think it’s going to be probably one of the biggest challenges of his career.

“Derek knows how to box, he knows how to move, he knows how to punch. The good news is Usyk knows how to do this as well. We all expect a great fight on May 23^rd and as soon as Usyk completes his task with Derek Chisora, being Mandatory for the WBO will all expect this year he will face ‘AJ’. I think it’s going to be sold out. Hopefully nothing can stop this fight from taking place. We all pray for that.”

Egis Klimas, manager of Oleksandr Usyk:

“He’s coming up from Cruiserweight, he did everything that is possible to do in the Cruiserweight division. This island holds all of the Heavyweight belts right now. That’s why we’re here, digging. Of course now he needs to face a tough opponent, and Chisora is a good fighter with big experience and that’s why we decided to go down that road.”

Derek Chisora – Finchley, London – 32-9, 23 KO’s – fighting Oleksandr Usyk in a Heavyweight clash:

“I want to thank Oleksandr for taking this fight. I am fighting one of the best fighters out there! The guy knows how to box and I can’t get sparring partners who can box like him. I will chuck whatever I can chuck. I want to take his golden ticket and I want to take what he has and make it mine. I think the way he wins this fight is by knocking me out but that is not going to happen because I am going to keep coming. I am so chuffed for this fight. 

“The guy has good foot movement and If I box his way he is going to win it. I just need to land a couple of punches to slow him down and it is going to be an exciting fight. I am ready to go! I will step in them ropes, bite down on the gumshield and catch this man.”

David Haye, Hayemaker Promotions:

“I think this has worked in Derek’s favour, the fight being pushed back, as it has given him an opportunity over the six month period to consistently train. We’re not talking training so he will be burnt out come fight night but periodic training. We are working on his engine, his punch quality and week by week he has improved. He has looked so good that we had to give him a vacation!

“He has done his first spar and we now have ourselves a situation with an exceptional Cruiserweight, perhaps even the best ever moving into a division where he hasn’t done anything yet. He touched on it as an amateur, but that is long range and about boxing skills.

“Derek isn’t going to try and outbox Usyk, he is going to drag him into a dogfight from the first bell. I feel he is brave enough to hold his feet because he feels he is significantly better than Derek but he is going to be in there with a completely different animal. 

“Sometimes skills can be overridden by size, heart and desire. I don’t feel that Usyk has been in a rough fight which he will be in on May 23rd. We are going to cause a massive upset and I feel that Usyk has miscalculated Derek heading into this fight. who would have thought that Derek would have been in the ring with a pound for pound king in Usyk a couple of years back? Usyk does not realise what Derek is about! His coach will not allow him in sparring to do what Derek will be doing to him with 10oz gloves on. This will be a special fight.”

Tickets for Usyk vs. Chisora are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £400 and £800 (VIP).

FightPass tickets are available to purchase for Matchroom Boxing FightPass members NOW via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

General Sale tickets will be available to purchase from midday on Saturday March 14 via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk will face British favourite Derek Chisora in a colossal Heavyweight clash at The O2 in London on Saturday May 23, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) made the move to Heavyweight after dominating at Cruiserweight, ending his extraordinary spell at 200lbs as the Undisputed king with a phenomenal run of victories in his opponents’ backyard against Marco Huck, Mairis Breidis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew. 

The 2012 Olympic Gold medallist began his assault on the Heavyweight division by retiring Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago last October and continues his bid to become a two-weight World Champion when he faces an in-form Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs).

Former World Title challenger Chisora scored a devastating second round knockout over Poland’s Artur Szpilka at The O2 in July 2019, a year on from his incredible eighth round KO win against Carlos Takam at the same venue, before blitzing fellow Brit David Price in four rounds last October.

The famous Greenwich venue has become a lion’s den for Chisora in recent years, playing host to his last six fights, and the Finchley powerhouse is planning on giving Usyk nightmares in his first real test in the big boy division. 

“Boxing in Manchester in 2018 was an amazing experience, now I get to do it in London at the famous O2 Arena and I can’t wait to fight in front of the British fans once again,” said Usyk. “As a Cruiserweight, I reached the highest heights as Undisputed Champion and now I am following the same path as a Heavyweight.

“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^rd. Dear friends, I will see you soon!”

“WAR is coming,” said Chisora. “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^rd 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. This will be WAR.”

“This has the potential to be one of the great O2 nights – a Heavyweight blockbuster that can only be full of drama,” said Eddie Hearn. “Usyk, who has become a UK fans favourite in his own right, did it all at Cruiserweight, becoming Undisputed World Champion in just 15 fights.

“Now he attempts the same feat in the glamour division, with the big boys. Has he bitten off more than he can chew with Del Boy, who has consistently proved the doubters wrong and become one of the toughest, explosive Heavyweights in the game. Anything can happen on May 23, drop everything and don’t miss it!”

“This barn stormer fight against Usyk, the Mandatory Challenger for AJ’s WBO World title, has been talked about for more than six months,” said David Haye. “WAR Chisora had been written off by all the experts, in reality a couple of years ago people believed his career to be over and many still consider Chisora’s chances of victory on May 23^rd as minute, and who can blame them?

“Derek is a fighter with 9 losses on his professional record, who will be stepping in a ring with a former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion and 2012 Olympic Gold medallist – Usyk is a fighter found in everyone’s top five pound for pound list. On paper it’s mission impossible, but in reality, WAR Chisora is preparing to bring something Usyk has never seen before, an intensity from a rock solid 119kg wrecking machine, who will bulldoze his way to a victory in his hometown.”

“Oleksandr Usyk against Derek Chisora has all the ingredients for a classic Heavyweight clash,” said Adam Smith, Sky Sports’ Head of Boxing Development. Can the supremely talented Ukrainian withstand Chisora’s relentless aggression on a red-hot night at The O2? I’ve spoken to Chisora’s manager David Haye who is massively confident that his fighter will topple the former Undisputed Cruiserweight king.

“We know all about Usyk’s class, having witnessed his dramatic battle with Tony Bellew at Manchester Arena – and a certain Anthony Joshua will be keeping a close eye on a potential foe for the future. We’ve got a real Heavyweight line-up in the coming weeks, with Dillian Whyte’s explosive encounter against Alexander Povetkin, Usyk‘s risky showdown with Chisora and then AJ takes centre stage for his huge World Title fight against Kubrat Pulev.”

Tickets for Usyk vs. Chisora are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £400 and £800 (VIP).
 
Presale tickets will be available to purchase for O2 Priority Members from midday on Thursday March 12 via The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk)
 
FightPass tickets will be available to purchase for Matchroom Boxing FightPass members from midday on Friday March 13 via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)
 
Venue presale tickets will also be available from midday on Friday March 13 via The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk).
 
General Sale tickets will be available to purchase from midday on Saturday March 14 via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

Anthony Joshua has been ordered to face Oleksandr Usyk by the WBO, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com.

“The WBO World Championship Committee hereby orders the parties herein commencement of negotiations for the above-mentioned WBO heavyweight mandatory championship contest,” the WBO wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN. “Please be advised that the parties have 30 days upon receipt of this letter to reach an agreement. If an accord is not reached within the time frame set forth herein, a purse bid will be ordered pursuant with the WBO regulations of world championship contests.”

By Bart Barry-

Saturday in Chicago, 2018’s best fighter, Ukrainian
Oleksandr Usyk, made his first-yet heavyweight prizefight against former
American contender Chazz Witherspoon on DAZN, the aficionado’s network.  After a yearlong injury layoff Usyk made
Witherspoon quit after seven rounds in a turn unsurprising as it was
undramatic.

We have seen the best of Usyk.  Years from now, after Usyk is at least a
partially unified heavyweight champion of the world and myriad casuals know him
for it, we can look back at the World Boxing Super Series of 2018 and know we
saw the best version of him, the same way aficionados look at 2006 Manny
Pacquiao and know, whatever his achievements in the 13 years that followed (or
23; hell, he may regularly undress PBC welterweights till he’s 50), Pacquiao never
was better than the 130-pounder who stopped Erik Morales a twotime before decisioning
Juan Manuel Marquez and redecisioning Marco Antonio Barrera.  As Pacquiao scaled heavier, questions arose
about his power and durability and agility but no one ever doubted he was a
better boxer than his new foes at lightweight, junior welterweight,
welterweight and junior middleweight (mind the ‘new’ there; never did Pacquiao
outbox Marquez at any weight).

No one, either, will doubt Usyk is a better boxer
than everyone he faces the rest of his career. 
But can his stamina suffer much harder punches from much larger men? can
Usyk suffer their blows while making them suffer enough to suffer him no more?  Those be exactly the questions Saturday tried
to ask.

Witherspoon, a shortnotice opponent in every sense
of the term, was apt an initial interrogator as boxing’s flagship division had
on offer.  Since power is the last thing
to go, at age 38 Witherspoon, who reliably looks like an A-level guy against
C-level competition and loses just as reliably to every B-level man he faces, needed
to put a few good punches on Usyk, which he did, and absorb a few good punches
from Usyk, which he did, and tell us if Usyk’s move to the weightlimitless
division was foolhardy.

It wasn’t. 
Usyk took punches enough from Witherspoon to prove he can take
heavyweight fire.  And he stopped Witherspoon
faster than 2009 Tony Thompson if slower than 2012 Seth Mitchell. 

Saturday answered every question of power, yes,
but asked a brandnew question of geometry we mightn’t have imagined
otherwise.  The cruiserweights Usyk made
his career undoing were physically narrower, as were the heavyweights Usyk beat
to become an Olympic gold medalist.

It became apparent very quickly Saturday the
precise spinning of Usyk’s signature attack was disrupted by nothing so much as
Witherspoon’s simple girth.  The geometry
was wrong; there was now a need to take a wider step round the opponent, which
meant there was no longer the same space between ring center and ropes or corner.  This made Usyk fight in wider circles,
requiring more skipping than stepping; Usyk was no longer transitioning
balletically from spinning trap to spinning counter to spinning departure so
much as moving defensively sideways or moving offensively straight forward.

And moving straight at a 240-pound man who knows
how to punch is a different thing altogether from moving straight at a
199-pound man.  When a cruiserweight
punching up at you hits your gloves, you expense it to the cost of doing
business at the championship level; when a heavyweight punching level to you or
downwards hits your gloves, it hurts your face and jars your spine.

Usyk is fast and athletic but not so fast and
athletic that a nearing-40 Chazz Witherspoon couldn’t countertouch him with
righthands.  Is that a detail ruinous to
Usyk’s prospects at heavyweight?

No, and the reason why came at the end of
Saturday’s match.  The tale was told in
Witherspoon’s stature and aerobics, not his bleeding mouth.  How open that mouth was and how wilted his
posture, both, indicated what made Usyk unique among cruisers and’ll make him superunique
among heavies.  Usyk is an attrition
hunter who runs his prey to unconsciousness. 
An attrition hunter needn’t fell a beast with a single hurl of the spear
– he need only pain his prey enough to make it flee.  Once it runs, he has it.

Witherspoon sagged on his stool after round 7 like
a sealevel mammoth marched up Mount Everest. 
Thirty seconds into its postround rest Witherspoon’s body had yet to
contemplate recovery, certain as it was about drowning.

What does that say about Usyk’s prospects against
AJ?  Everything.  Men with a third Usyk’s talent and craft collaborate
with Joshua’s massive pecs, delts, traps and bis to fatigue him by midfight.  And Joshua’s June (and December) conqueror,
Andy Ruiz, is nothing so much as a fat cruiserweight loosed on giants who are
basic.

Which brings us to the one genuinely compelling
challenge for Usyk: Deontay Wilder.  Nobody
at cruiserweight hits fractionally so hard as Wilder, but no one at heavyweight
is near so physically narrow as Wilder. 
The geometry of Wilder’s width is all right for Usyk, while the geometry
of Wilder’s height is not.  Neither is
Wilder’s conditioning, which absolutely rivals Usyk’s.  A Wilder-Usyk unification match in 2021 will make
the most-athletic heavyweight prizefight in 25 years.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk moved up to heavyweight with a stoppage over Chazz Witherspoon after round seven of their scheduled 12-round bout at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

Usyk dominated the bout with quick combinations that tired out Witherspoon, who took the bout on five days notice. Witherspoon started to redden around his face and although he tried, he was outgunned and his corner pulled the plug on the bout.

Uysk, 215 lbs of Kiev, Ukraine is now 17-0 with 13 knockouts. Witherspoon is now 38-4.

Dmitry Bivol retained the WBA Light Heavyweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Lenin Castillo.

In round six, Bivol landed a sharp right that dropped Castillo.

Bivol was systematic and won just about every round as the scores read 120-107 and 119-108 twice.

Bivol, 174.3 lbs of St. Petersburg, RUS is 17-0. Castillo, 175 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 20-3-1.

Jessica McCaskill retained the WBA/WBC Super Lightweight title with a 10-round majority decision over the woman she won the titles from in Erica Farias.

The fight was very sloppy with a lot of holding, mostly from Farias.

Farias was deducted a point in round four for holding.

McCaskill was deducted a point in round six for hitting behind the head.

McCaskill, 138.7 lbs of Chicago won by scores of 97-91, 96-92 and 94-94 to raise her mark to 8-2. Farias, 138.1 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 26-4.

Arthur Biyarslanov won a six-round unanimous decision over Tyrome Jones in a super lightweight battle.

In round five, Biyarslanov was bleeding from over his right eye, but landed more, and won by scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56 to raise his mark to 5-0. Jones is 4-6-1.

Anthony Sims Jr. remained perfect by stopping Morgan Fitch in round six of their scheduled 10-round super middleweight fight.

In the opening minute, Sims put Fitch down with a big right. Sims followed that up with a vicious flurry that resulted in a 2nd knockdown.

In round six, Sims landed a perfect counter right hand that buckled Fitch and was ruled a knockdown. Sims then jumped on Fitch and landed a hard four-punch flurry and the bout was stopped at 2:18.

Sims Jr., 168.5 lbs of Plainfield, IN is 20-0 with 18 knockouts, Fitch, 167.5 lbs of Pittsburgh, PA is 19-4-1.

Charles Conwell scored a vicious 10th round stoppage over Patrick Day in a junior middleweight bout.

In round four, Conwell landed a right hand that knocked Day down.

In round eight, it was a harder right hand that sent Day to the canvas. In round nine, Conwell was cut above the right eye. In round 10, Conwell landed a hard right-left combination that sent Day crashing to the canvas. The head of Day bounced hard off the deck, and he was down for several minutes. Day was taken out of the ring on a stretcher.

The time of the finish was at 1:46.

Conwell, 153.8 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 11-0 with eight knockouts. Day, 153.7 lbs of Freeport, NY is 17-4-1.

Otha Jones III won a four-round majority decision over Eric Manriquez in a super featherweight bout.

Jones, 129 lbs of Toledo, OH is 4-0. Manriquez, 130 lbs of Houston, TX is 7-9-1.

Former world champion TJ Doheny stopped Jesus Martinez at the end of round five of a scheduled eight-round super bantamweight fight.

In round one, Doheny landed a hard left that drove Martinez into the ropes that was rightfully ruled a knockdown. Doheny dominated the action and hurt Martinez on several occasions and the fight was stopped between rounds five and six,

Doheny, 124 lbs of Bondi Junction, AUS is now 24-1 with 16 knockouts. Martinez, 124 lbs of Monteria, COL 26-10.

NEW YORK (October 7, 2019)–Split-T Management undefeated prospects Charles Conwell and Otha Jones III will be back in action on Saturday night as they will appear on the Oleksandr Usyk – Chazz Witherspoon card at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

2016 United States Olympian Conwell will take on a tough test in Patrick Day in a junior middleweight bout scheduled for ten-rounds. Jones takes on veteran Eric Manriquez in super featherweight bout scheduled for six-rounds.

Conwell of Cleveland, Ohio has a perfect mark of 10-0 with seven knockouts.

The 21 year-old will be making his 2nd start of 2019 as he is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision over Courtney Pennington on June 8th at Madison Square Garden. Conwell also has wins over Roque Zepata (4-1-3) and Travis Scott (19-3).

Day is a quality fighter who brings in an impressive mark of 17-3-1 with six knockouts.

The Long Island native is a product of the tough New York scene, and has wins over Donald Ward (5-1), Pennington (8-2-2), Virgilijus Stapulionis (27-3-1), Eric Walker (15-0), Kyrone Davis (13-1) and Ismail Iliev (11-0-1).

“Camp went well. I sparred with top guys, and I feel strong. I am ready and in shape,” said Conwell. “Patrick Day is an OK fighter. I know I can beat him.”

Day, who as mentioned above has fought and beat top opposition, should be a good test for Conwell and give a good indiction where the former Olympian is at in his young career.

“I feel this is a step up fight. I can compare to his other opponents. I am looking to better what they did against him. This fight will show who I am, and this is the 1st step to make a statement. Tune in on October 12th, I am going to put on a great show and get the win.”

Conwell checked in at 153.8 lbs. Day was 153.7.

Conwell is promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

Jones of Toledo, Ohio has a record of 3-0 with one knockout.

Jones, 19 years-old was a 21-time National Amateur champion has dazzled fans in the United States and The United Kingdom. He began his pro career with a six-round unanimous decision over Giorgi Gelashvili. Jones is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over Matias Agustin Arriagada on June 29th in Providence, Rhode Island.

Manriquez has a record of 7-8-1 with three knockouts. Jones will be the 8th undefeated opponent that the Houston native has faced. Manriquez has a win over previously undefeated Oscar Moreno (7-0).

“Training camp was great, I am ready to put on a great performance and get a knockout on Saturday night,” said Jones. “This will be my 4th fight in seven months, and I am continuously learning all the small things that come with the pro game. I know Manriquez likes to come forward, and from what I have seen, he is tough. Expect a great performance from me and I just want all my fans to follow me at @OthaJones3rd”

Jones was 129 lbs. at Friday’s weigh-in. Manriquez was 130 lbs.

Jones is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Photos via Conwell and Jones Facebook Pages.

The fights will be streamed live on DAZN, beginning at 7 PM ET.

Undefeated heavyweight Tyrone Spong tested positive for a banned substance, and he will not fight former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“My thought is it’s bad because people are trying to use a shortcut and cheat and the other side of the fight is working so hard. It’s completely disrespectful,” Egis Klimas, Usyk’s manager, told ESPN. “Usyk wasn’t very happy when he found out, of course. He prepared hard for this fight and the other side is trying to cheat and take a shortcut.

“We have been contacted by VADA to inform us that there has been an adverse finding in Tyrone Spong’s test,” promoter Eddie Hearn said. “It has been sent to the State of Illinois commission and further information will be released [on Tuesday] morning. We have reserve opponents standing by.”

Hearn did not want to disclose any of the possible replacement opponents because he was still negotiating with them, but he told ESPN he is in talks with “three or four” fighters.

Klimas said whomever Hearn can line up, Usyk will fight.

“He’s been preparing for a long time. We will fight anyone who is willing to fight,” Klimas said.

Oleksandr Usyk is closing in on a Heavyweight debut that he’s been preparing for since his amateur days as he faces Tyrone Spong at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Saturday October 12, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM $40 HEREWATCH USYK’S INTERVIEW FROM HIS LOS ANGELES TRAINING CAMP HERE
Usyk (16-0 12 KOs) has made the move to Heavyweight after dominating at Cruiserweight, ending his spell at 200lbs as the undisputed king with a phenomenal run of victories in his opponents’ backyard against Marco Huck, Mairis Breidis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew.

The Ukrainian pound-for-pound star begins his bid to become a two-weight World ruler against Spong (14-0 13 KOs) in the Windy City, but Usyk says his rise to Heavyweight began back in his amateur days, so moving to join the big guns holds no fear for the 32 year old.

“There have been no problems in order to move to the Heavyweight division,” said Usyk. “At least to me there have been no problems. I simply moved to the Heavyweight division, and that was it. Virtually nothing has changed in my training, we’ve simply started doing even more work. Different, and hard work, which is practicing with big guys who pose a great threat.

“We’re working hard, smiling, going crazy during the training camp, and doing our job. Everyone who is in my camp does their job 100 per cent meaning that they give everything so that I feel comfortable. Everything is as comfortable as possible; the food, rehab, resting, massage, training. My team is looking after all of it and we are working hard together.

“Before the Olympics, and even before the World Championships, when I was boxing at 91 kilos, we were experimentally boxing in the Heavyweight class specifically so that it would be more dangerous. I weighed in at a competition, for example, not 91 kilos but 91.5, and was boxing against the guys weighing 100-102-105, which was our objective. And it was not only I who was boxing one class up, Vasiliy Lomachenko was, Oleksandr Gvozdyk and all of those who were part of that golden Ukrainian team.

“I’m really looking forward to boxing on October 12. I very much missed the boxing. I love boxing, and really there is a lot of talk about it, but I’m not paying attention to it. My objective is to do my job in the gym in order to show all the enthusiasts and fans great boxing in the ring.”

Usyk’s Heavyweight bow against Spong is part of a huge night of action in Chicago as unified Super-Lightweight champion Jessica McCaskill defends her WBA and WBC titles against old foe Erica Farias, unbeaten Super-Middleweight talent Anthony Sims Jr returns to action against Morgan Fitch, Charles Conwell defends his USBA Super-Welterweight title against Patrick Day, an all-Chicago Super-Featherweight clash between Josh Hernandez and Giovanni Mioletti and a fourth pro outing for rising starlet Otha Jones III.

Tickets are on sale now for Usyk vs. Spong starting at just $40 plus booking fees at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/070057139FF02C5D.

Oleksandr Usyk makes his Heavyweight debut on October 12 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK – and tickets are on presale now.

Usyk (16-0 12 KOs) moves up to join the big boys having dominated the Cruiserweight division, ending his time at the 200lbs limit as the undisputed champion with a clinical KO win over Tony Bellew in Manchester in November, that victory continuing his epic run of wins in his opponents backyard that saw him seal the inaugural World Boxing Super Series through wins over Marco Huck, Mairis Breidis and Murat Gassiev.

Tickets start at $40 plus booking fees with the pre-sale codes USYK, WINTRUST, MBUSA in effect at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/070057139FF02C5D. General sale will begin at 11am CT on Friday August 30 at the same URL.