(Picture By Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

Hearn: Usyk-Chisora Could Take Place Abroad

By FIGHTSPORTS May 15, 2020

When boxing returns to action, one of the big questions will be where certain fights will take place. While the British Boxing Board of Control is looking to hold events in July, fights initially set for the United Kingdom may not end up in the area.

Speaking with Sky Sports, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn discussed the idea of moving the heavyweight fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora. Originally set for May in London, the fight was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. No new date or location for the fight has been announced yet. In an attempt to hold events with fans or just in the best possible location, Hearn has an idea to move fights to areas that make sense.

“It will wait in the short term. It is not in the initial four-week period,” Hearn stated. “I spoke to Alexander Krassyuk of K2 Promotions [Usyk’s representatives] and we are looking at alternative options for that venue. In time you will see crowds return but at what level? One thousand? Ten-thousand? Eighty-thousand?

“There are options to stage things with a slightly smaller crowd but in a unique environment that we’re looking at [in the UK]. That’s outside of our initial return. There are a number of countries right now saying: ‘We want to bring major sport back and show the world that we’re open to business’. That might apply to a fight like Usyk vs Chisora.”

The fight between the two isn’t the only bout Hearn is interested in taking place elsewhere. The WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO Heavyweight Title fight between champion Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev could be moved, with Croatia one of the rumored destinations. Something Hearn has been adamant about is having a crowd for a Joshua fight.

Usyk (17-0) is looking for his second win in the heavyweight division. The former WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, The Ring, and lineal Cruiserweight Champion was supposed to face Tyrone Spong in October. Testing positive for clomiphene, Spong was out of the bout. Usyk faced Chazz Witherspoon instead, winning the bout via round-seven corner retirement.

Chisora (32-9) is on a three-fight win streak. Following a knockout loss at the hands of Dillian Whyte in 2018 (the second loss against Whyte), “Del Boy” won three fights in 2019. He won a unanimous decision bout against Senad Gashi in April, a knockout win over Artur Szpilka in July, and a TKO win over David Price in October.