Chazz Witherspoon: Usyk will find out heavyweight is a different game

38-year-old heavyweight veteran Chazz Witherspoon has stepped in to face Oleksandr Usyk this Saturday night in Chicago, streaming live on DAZN, following original opponent Tyrone Spong failing a VADA test.

Witherspoon (38-3, 29 KO) is a Philadelphia native who at one time was considered a legit prospect, but his career has really never taken off. He’s got perhaps a last chance to make an impact this weekend.

“I can’t wait to face Usyk in Chicago,” said Witherspoon. “I have been in training ready for a big fight, and it doesn’t get bigger than this. Oleksandr is stepping up to heavyweight — and he’s going to find out that it’s a totally different game.”

Usyk (16-0, 12 KO) is coming up from cruiserweight, where he was undisputed champion, and will be a clear favorite in this fight. But Witherspoon says he’s been waiting to get back into the mix with a big chance.

“I’ve won my last eight fights and I really feel that I’ve been waiting in the wings for a huge opportunity like this and I am going to put every ounce of myself into the fight on this massive stage,” he said.

Witherspoon last lost in 2012, when he was stopped in three by Seth Mitchell. He’s won eight straight, but against marginal opposition, well out of the spotlight. He most recently fought on March 23 in Atlantic City, stopping Santander Silgado in two.