Eddie Hearn: Oleksandr Usyk faces disadvantages at heavyweight but has the equalizer

With recent news that Oleksandr Usyk’s fight against Dereck Chisora has now been set for May 23 in London, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn admits that Usyk will be facing stiff challenges at heavyweight as other fighters are sort of liking their chances at the former undisputed cruiserweight champion.

Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) is a little undersized for a heavyweight, but his tremendous skill level gives him and his promoter promise that he’ll be able to offset the physical dimensions he’ll be up against, starting with Chisora.

“There will be significant disadvantages for Usyk in the heavyweight division but what he loses in size and power he makes up for with speed and skill,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “That’s the equaliser.

“Does the footwork and skill of Usyk beat the heart, willpower, strength and power of Chisora? Does it beat the power of Chisora at The O2, an arena where he has rolled the clock back so many times?”

Since Usyk has taken a step in the heavyweight waters he’s scored a win over Chazz Witherspoon but has since be afflicted by injuries. Some believe that could be a sign of wear on Usyk now that he’s 33 years old and facing larger men than he’s used to. At this point that sort of remains to be seen but we should get a much better indicator on how Usyk will cope in the division as he goes up against Chisora who is a large man with the reputation of a rough-and-tumble brawler.