Dillian Whyte questions Oleksandr Usyk's ability at heavyweight

James HollandJames Holland16 April 2021
Dillian Whyte determined to prove doubters wrong against Alexander Povetkin

Dillian Whyte determined to prove doubters wrong against Alexander Povetkin

"Usyk was fighting scared, he was jabbing and running away. He never had Chisora in trouble."

WBC interim champion Dillian Whyte is not impressed by Oleksandr Usyk's ability at heavyweight, saying the Ukrainian was 'running scared' against Dereck Chisora.

Usyk unified the cruiserweight division in just 16 fights before moving up to the sport's most glamorous weight category.

He beat Chazz Witherspoon in his first heavyweight bout before overcoming veteran Chisora at Wembley Arena.

Usyk is aiming to continue his glittering career by winning world titles at 200 pounds.

He is the mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua's WBO strap. But the 34-year-old looks set to take on British and Commonwealth champion Joe Joyce next, allowing Joshua to face fellow world title holder Tyson Fury.

Oleksandr Usyk beat Chazz Witherspoon on his heavyweight debut in October 2019

Speaking about Usyk, Whyte told DAZN (via Boxing Scene): "Who has he fought at heavyweight? Come on, Dereck Chisora is a few years past it now. I've beaten Chisora twice.

"Obviously, Usyk struggled with him [Chisora]. In that fight, Usyk was fighting scared. He was jabbing and running away. He never had Chisora in trouble at any point."

After a nervous start, Usyk overcame Chisora to win convincingly on the judges' scorecards. However, he never looked like knocking out the Englishman.

Usyk's ability is unquestionable, but it remains to be seen whether he has the size to trouble the biggest and best heavyweights.

Usyk could come up against Whyte in the near future as both fighters are contenders for world titles. Whyte regained his WBC interim championship last month by securing a fourth-round knockout over Russia's Alexander Povetkin.