Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora - 31 October 2020

[Ruthless-RKO]

Haye Explains Why Chisora Will Down Usyk in Huge Shocker

“I believe his chances of winning on October 31 are significantly higher than earlier in the year, because he has spent every day, effectively, focusing on a tricky southpaw” Haye told Sky Sports News.

“In his fight with [Senad] Gashi (in April 2019), he wasn’t quite there. You saw the improvement against Artur Szpilka, who was much more effective with his counter-punching but that was unable to affect Dereck. He put the pressure on him, Dereck let his hands go and really did a number on him. That is the type of Dereck we need.

“Since that fight he has drummed himself with southpaws, tricky guys, so come fight night, he is able to put 12 rounds of action together.”

“If you look at his record, what he has done as an amateur, world champion, Olympic gold medallist, undisputed, never lost, he has won every single belt there is to win,” Haye said of the Ukrainian. “He has done it all and Dereck has lost nine fights. If you look at his record against Dereck’s, you only think there is going to be one winner.

“But what Usyk doesn’t understand is that the heavyweight division is very different to every other division in boxing. It’s about size, it’s about weight and, ask Povetkin, it takes one shot to turn the tide. Anything can happen in the heavyweight division. The gaps he used are getting filled in. He is going to cause an upset and he is going to shock so many people, because he has dedicated his life to it.

“He knows this is his last chance. He is 36, against the No 1 WBO mandatory challenger. He has to take that from him and he is then in the top five in the world and we are talking about huge mega fights against the big names.”

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'm going with Chisora here. Of course, he could just turn up and go through the motions as he has in the past.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I'm going with Chisora here. Of course, he could just turn up and go through the motions as he has in the past.

He does look very motivated..

[cormack]

I feel that chisora needs the buzz of a crowd to get him really motivated , he has said this himself when asked about studio boxing .
Usyk on the other hand probably doesnt ,he has a pedigree of winning and seems calm and focused at all times anyway so I just think he will handle the lack of crowd much better and dance around chisora all night long.

[Gnome]

I feel that chisora needs the buzz of a crowd to get him really motivated , he has said this himself when asked about studio boxing .
Usyk on the other hand probably doesnt ,he has a pedigree of winning and seems calm and focused at all times anyway so I just think he will handle the lack of crowd much better and dance around chisora all night long.

Good point. His Monte Carlo fight showed that.

[THEBUTCH]

Usyk just looks too good for Chisora IMO, but it could be his first heavyweight chin-check if Del Boy can exploit any gaps in his defence.

[margaret thatcher]

Chisora is the type of fighter made for Usyk to outbox, we've seen Del struggle with Uzzy's type and Uzzy excel vs Del's type. Though gotta say Usyk seems to have gotten really brittle?

He could aggravate something and then find he can't avoid Del's heavy clubbing shots nearly as well as before

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Lee Selby will take on George Kambosos Jr.

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!”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tommy McCarthy vs. Billal Laggoune Set To Be Added

Tommy McCarthy could get his European title shot on a pay-per-view undercard.

The Belfast cruiserweight has been mandatory for the belt since it was held by Lawrence Okolie.

McCarthy was on the back burner for Okolie as the Londoner had a world title shot on the horizon and, as a result, relinquished the belt.

And Eddie Hearn, who has said that Okolie will meet Kzrysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO world title in the 200-pound division on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s IBF, WBA Super, WBO and IBO world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev on December 12 in London, potentially at the O2 Arena, revealed recently that McCarthy will meet Billal Laggoune (25-1-2, 14 KOs) for the vacant belt.

The fight, it is understood, will take place on the undercard of the heavyweight debut of Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk, the Ukrainian who conquered the cruiserweight division, winning the World Boxing Super Series tournament while picking up the Ring Magazine, WBO, WBA Super, IBF and WBC belts, is currently mandatory for the aforementioned Joshua’s WBO crown at heavyweight and he will venture into the sport’s premier division with an outing against former British and European champion Derek Chisora.

Usyk vs. Chisora will take place on October 31, with promoter Hearn stating that it is likely to be staged at the SSE Arena in Wembley, London.

The Sky Sports Box Office-aired show will also feature an IBF world lightweight title final eliminator between Lee Selby and George Kambosos Jr.

Further details, including the formal addition of McCarthy vs. Laggoune to the card, will be revealed in due course.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Back in May 2020 when these two were suppose to meet, it was expected to be a big turn around at 02 Arena and good PPV sales which would lead to Chisora pocketing as £6,900,000 as the “A” side while Oleksandr Usyk was suppose to take home £2,200,000.
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Now however circumstances changed after pandemic, no crowd takes away all the gate receipt revenue but PPV sales might cover up the gate receipt deficit.

Chisora is still guaranteed a £4m purse regardless of PPV numbers while Usyk is guaranteed £1.5 million from his nights work.

[Boxerbeetle]

Chisora is on a £4m guarantee?? Fvcking ridiculous. No wonder they’re so desperate to push PPV down your throat. Everything that’s wrong with modern boxing.

[Counter-puncher]

Chisora is on a £4m guarantee?? Fvcking ridiculous. No wonder they’re so desperate to push PPV down your throat. Everything that’s wrong with modern boxing.

WTF? you're joking.

christ, got to hand it to Chisora, you negotiate the best deal you can for yourself but what fucken idiot signed up to that?!

[gregregegg]

Back in May 2020 when these two were suppose to meet, it was expected to be a big turn around at 02 Arena and good PPV sales which would lead to Chisora pocketing as £6,900,000 as the “A” side while Oleksandr Usyk was suppose to take home £2,200,000.
------------------
Now however circumstances changed after pandemic, no crowd takes away all the gate receipt revenue but PPV sales might cover up the gate receipt deficit.

Chisora is still guaranteed a £4m purse regardless of PPV numbers while Usyk is guaranteed £1.5 million from his nights work.

What. i could see them being even pay mabey, but the fact that usyk is getting basicaly 1/3rd or chis is fornicating mental. yes chis is fun in any fight. but i would think people are pretty curious to see a P4P guy, next inline for a shot at one of AJs title, have his first real crack at heavyweight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Back in May 2020 when these two were suppose to meet, it was expected to be a big turn around at 02 Arena and good PPV sales which would lead to Chisora pocketing as £6,900,000 as the “A” side while Oleksandr Usyk was suppose to take home £2,200,000.
------------------
Now however circumstances changed after pandemic, no crowd takes away all the gate receipt revenue but PPV sales might cover up the gate receipt deficit.

Chisora is still guaranteed a £4m purse regardless of PPV numbers while Usyk is guaranteed £1.5 million from his nights work.

What. i could see them being even pay mabey, but the fact that usyk is getting basicaly 1/3rd or chis is fornicating mental. yes chis is fun in any fight. but i would think people are pretty curious to see a P4P guy, next inline for a shot at one of AJs title, have his first real crack at heavyweight.

Yeh, Usyk doesn't get a fair shake in the UK..

Bellew got paid £4m before ppv revenue against Usyk. But I believe Usyk got a similar amount, but didn't receive a cut of ppv revenue.

[Counter-puncher]

Yeh, Usyk doesn't get a fair shake in the UK..

Bellew got paid £4m before ppv revenue against Usyk. But I believe Usyk got a similar amount, but didn't receive a cut of ppv revenue.

luckily for Usyk, he at least gained the advantage of Bellew giving him his toughest ever fight and had the chance to learn and develop from that priceless experience

[Coco]

Nevertheless,my he UK is where the money is and he wouldn't be getting that purse anywhere else.

Shows though, someone like Chisora who hasn't even won the Euro title and with a lot of losses, will retire a multi millionaire

[Coco]

How much is Selby likely to get? 75k?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Chisora is on a £4m guarantee?? Fvcking ridiculous. No wonder they’re so desperate to push PPV down your throat. Everything that’s wrong with modern boxing.

WTF? you're joking.

christ, got to hand it to Chisora, you negotiate the best deal you can for yourself but what fucken idiot signed up to that?!

Whilst this looks like it could be an excellent match up for a number of reasons, not a chance In hell I pay to watch it.

Chisora's done well for himself, but I think this event is going to struggle to make money, Chisora is hardly a household name outside of boxing circles, and it's not a title fight, so cannot see this doing good numbers at all.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Shows though, someone like Chisora who hasn't even won the Euro title and with a lot of losses, will retire a multi millionaire

Apparently he already is, he's invested a lot of his money already I hear.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Chisora is on a £4m guarantee?? Fvcking ridiculous. No wonder they’re so desperate to push PPV down your throat. Everything that’s wrong with modern boxing.

WTF? you're joking.

christ, got to hand it to Chisora, you negotiate the best deal you can for yourself but what fucken idiot signed up to that?!

Plus, he's got pay David Haye a fee, who knows what that will be.. Promoter/trainer fees too.. Still gonna be left with a good chunk..

Basically, it's the fans that are funding these boxers pockets.

It should be fvckin Sky.. Need to increase their rights fees, plus boxers now days think they're worth more than they are.

When this flops, it still won't stop Eddeh.

[Ruthless-RKO]

How much is Selby likely to get? 75k?

Not even close..

Matchroom won the purse bid at $277,777.

As the higher-ranked Kambosos is the beneficiary of a 60/40 split, he’ll receive $166,666.20 to Selby’s $111,110,80 (£86,500).

So not toooo bad.

[Boxerbeetle]

How much is Selby likely to get? 75k?

Goes a long way in Barry!

[Ruthless-RKO]

How much is Selby likely to get? 75k?

Goes a long way in Barry!

He's getting £86,500

[Ruthless-RKO]

McCarthy lands European Title chance
Cruiserweight clash added to Oct 31

Belfast Cruiserweight Tommy McCarthy will contest the vacant European Title against Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune on Saturday 31st October as part of the Usyk vs Chisora undercard, live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN.

McCarthy (16-2, 8 KOs) edged past Fabio Turchi last October to put himself back into title contention whilst Laggoune (25-1-2, 14 KOs) has won five on the bounce since suffering his sole career defeat in February 2017.

Victory in Trento last time out catapulted ‘Mac Attack’ into the WBC’s top 15 World rankings. Opportunity now knocks to land the European Title after Lawrence Okolie relinquished the belt.

“I can’t wait to fight,” revealed McCarthy. “This is a brilliant opportunity and huge platform on a Sky Sports Box Office show.

“Winning this European Title leads to a World Title shot and that’s what I’m chasing down.”

Mark Dunlop, manager to McCarthy said: “This is a massive night in Tommy’s career. We know it’s going to be a tough fight against Bilal but I have 100% belief that my man will get his hand raised on the night with a nice, new shiny belt over his shoulder and move one step closer to a World Title shot.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “After a great win in Italy this is a huge chance for Tommy to become European Champion. It’s such an exciting time for the domestic Cruiserweight division and victory against the tough Laggoune will give the opportunity for some huge fights on both domestic and World level.”

McCarthy vs Laggoune joins Selby vs Kambosos Jr on the undercard to Usyk vs Chisora with further announcements due shortly.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eddie Hearn To Stage Four Shows at SSE Arena, Wembley

Eddie Hearn will stage four shows at the 12,500-capacity SSE Arena, Wembley, as he aims to increase pressure for a return of fans.

The Oleksandr Usyk-Dereck Chisora heavyweight fight on October 31 will be the first of the shows at the venue, formerly known as Wembley Arena. It will then be followed at Wembley by the show headlined by Katie Taylor against Miriam Gutierrez on November 14 and then the November 21 Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin bill. The final card will be headlined by Billy Joe Saunders making a defence of his WBO super-middleweight title. That is currently scheduled for November 28, although it might move back a week if Sky Sports decide not to go head-to-head with BT Sport’s screening of the Daniel Dubois-Joe Joyce heavyweight clash.

The shows will go ahead whether or not fans are allowed but, by going to such a big venue, Hearn hopes to be able to let fans in if he is given the green light by the Government. If fans are allowed in, none will be allowed at ringside. It will also provide a useful trial looking ahead to Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title defence in December, which Hearn hopes to admit more than 4,000 for.

“I am planning the fights with no fans at the moment,” Hearn said to Boxing Scene. “We will have the same venue for four events and just keep canvassing, asking for 1,500 or 2,000 fans to be let in.

“I don’t like to go into big arenas and seeing loads of empty seats everywhere. We have to get creative with the production, but the plan is to fill them up or at least certainly get some bums on seats.

“Early doors I hope we can get 1,000 in, show the Government how we can get it done safely and from there escalating to AJ.”

A rise in coronavirus cases, which has even seen Hearn and his father, Barry, test positive, has led to more restrictions in the UK, with all pubs and restaurants in central Scotland closing for 16 days and several areas in lockdown.

Hearn is also hopeful that a crowd of 4,700 may be permitted for Anthony Joshua’s WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight title defence on December 12 at the O2 Arena, London, after a concert the previous week at the venue was given approval to have a live audience.

The band Squeeze will play the O2 Arena on December 5 and 4,700 socially-distanced seats will be on sale at the 19,000-seater venue.

“There is a music event approved the week before AJ,” he said. “That would suggest we might be able to do that number for AJ, but that is subject to them not changing their mind. We had the Crucible, 400 people for every day for the World Snooker Championships and after one day they closed it down.

“The pressure is definitely mounting for fans to be allowed back, but on the other hand they are talking about closing pubs and restaurants,” Hearn said. “So how can you close pubs and restaurants but allow people to go to sporting events?

“Sooner or later they are going to have a decision on their hands. Do you open things up and put in what measures you can, or do you close everything down again and everything could be screwed?”

No opponent has been announced yet for Saunders, who has not boxed since his knockout win over Marcelo Coceres on the KSI-Logan Paul bill in Los Angeles last November. However, Hearn says he is keen on an all British fight.

“I’d like to do a Brit,” he said. “So it is probably one of [Martin] Murray, [Rocky] Fielding or [John] Ryder.”