A new name has emerged in the conversation to face Oleksandr Usyk — if Derek Chisora is to be believed.
Usyk’s future has dominated boxing’s rumour mill over the past week. From talk of a summer showdown with Deontay Wilder in San Francisco to suggestions he could align himself with Zuffa Boxing, the unified heavyweight champion appears to be in high demand.
Plans for a Wilder defence to launch iVisit Boxing (IVB) and its ambitious bid to bring the sport back to the masses have now been played down. Wilder is instead expected to face Chisora in April, a development that also impacts WBO champion Fabio Wardley, who had been strongly linked to a title defence against the veteran Briton.
Chisora, 42, who is one fight away from reaching the 50-fight milestone, appeared on talkSPORT on Wednesday (January 22) to discuss the possibility of facing ‘The Bronze Bomber’. During the interview, however, he also claimed to have heard of a different opponent now being lined up for Usyk, who has not fought since his victory over Daniel Dubois last year.
The unbeaten Ukrainian (24-0, 15 KOs) has been linked to Wilder and to a potential clash with Germany’s Agit Kabayel, but Chisora suggested another former world champion is in the frame.
“I’m hearing Usyk is fighting Andy Ruiz in Vegas. That’s what I’m hearing.”
Ruiz (35-2-1, 22 KOs) is best remembered for his stunning upset of Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden in June 2019. Drafted in at short notice after Jarrell Miller failed multiple drugs tests, Ruiz shocked the boxing world by stopping the British heavyweight in seven rounds.
Joshua reclaimed his titles six months later with a disciplined points win in their rematch in Diriyah. Since then, however, Ruiz’s activity has slowed considerably. He has boxed just three times in the past six years, recording wins over veterans Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz, before being held to a draw by Miller in his most recent outing in 2024.
Whether Chisora’s information proves accurate remains to be seen, but with Usyk yet to confirm his next move, the heavyweight picture continues to shift.
