Unified world champion Anthony Joshua has admitted he was surprised by Derek Chisora’s brute strength in sparring and has a new-found respect for another fellow Brit boxer – Dillian Whyte, who twice overcame Chisora.
Chisora was trading with Joshua in his training camp for the rematch with Andy Ruiz last year.
“The Chisora from the two fights against Dillian will give Usyk problems,” Joshua told Sky Sports. “I watched the Chisora versus Price fight – I thought: ‘why isn’t Price controlling Chisora?’
“Then I sparred Chisora. The guy is strong, you know. He is no joke.
“And I give Dillian credit for dealing with him twice. To control Chisora over 12 or 11 rounds takes some doing.”
Usyk and Chisora are both preparing for their fight on May 23, but there is a good chance this date will be canceled again due to the coronavirus outbreak. Whoever manages to get the win in this clash will secure himself a WBO title shot against Joshua.
Usyk was installed as the WBO mandatory challenger for Joshua after stepping up from cruiserweight, a division where he became undisputed world champion and won the World Boxing Super Series, but now the Ukrainian powerhouse is risking his number 1 one sport.
Asked how Chisora could be contained, Joshua said:
“For Usyk, who is a cruiserweight? Yes, feet and movement. I was big enough to do that to Andy Ruiz Jr, to make him feel the power. Ruiz Jr knew that if he walked in without thinking about it then he might catch something.
Source: www.skysports.com
