Lennox Lewis says ‘wise’ Tyson Fury used Derek Chisora to prepare for Oleksandr Usyk

Lennox Lewis has branded Tyson Fury as ‘wise’ as he states the Briton purposely extended his fight against Derek Chisora in preparation for Oleksandr Usyk. 

Fury completed his hat-trick of wins over a hapless Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night, with referee Victory Laughlin eventually calling a halt to the bout in the 10th round. 

The Gypsy King was in total control from the first second to the last, and Lewis – the last man to hold the title of undisputed heavyweight champion in 1999 – believes Fury could have got the stoppage at any point in the fight. 

Tyson Fury (right) battered Derek Chisora (left) on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Lennox Lewis was on punditry duty for BT Sport and says Fury was smart to drag the bout on 

Despite being hurt on numerous occasions throughout the bout, Chisora was somehow able to make it to the 10th round, however – though Lewis doesn’t believe that was a good thing for the 38-year-old.  

‘It was a great fight for Tyson, not for Chisora,’ Lewis said on BT Sport. ‘Fury could’ve done anything he wanted. 

‘You can tell he’s got that Christmas spirit on, so he’s about 80 per cent of his normal self. I felt he could’ve stepped it up at any time and got rid of Chisora. 

‘He definitely wanted to get the rounds and the work in. That’s very wise of him to recognise that. Noticing that he needs work. 

‘I think the referee made the right call. It’s hard for his [Chisora] corner to stop the fight at that point, but they definitely should have before the ref. The referee did the right thing.’

Fury had Chisora hurt on multiple occasions throughout the dangerously one-sided fight

But it wasn’t until the 10th round that referee Victor Laughlin finally ended the contest

Fury now hopes the undisputed bout against Usyk will take place early next year, revealing after his fight against Chisora that talks are underway to stage it in Saudi Arabia. 

The 34-year-old spoke to Saudi Arabia’s Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud immediately after the bout, and shortly after confronting Usyk in the ring. 

Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF belts – which he won with a pair of victories over Anthony Joshua – is clearly also keen for the undisputed fight to take place.  

The Ukrainian was ringside for the bout and came face-to-face with Fury afterwards, showing total disinterest as the Gypsy King typically hurled a barrage of insults in his direction. 

Lewis believes the match-up will prove a difficult one for Fury, insisting: ‘I think it’s going to be a great fight. Usyk is a champion, he’s been undisputed champion for a little bit. 

‘He came to the fight and I know he was watching, feeling the energy. He’s going to try and find a way to beat Tyson Fury. It’s not going to be a walkover for Fury. This man [Usyk] is a champion. This man is dedicated. He puts everything into his training and his will to win.’

Oleksandr Usyk looked unimpressed ringside as Fury cruised to victory ahead of a potential undisputed showdown

The pair came face-to-face after the fight, with talks now underway to stage the undisputed showdown in Saudi Arabia 

As for what happens next for Chisora, that remains unclear. The 38-year-old has now lost 13 times in 46 fights.  

Chisora was typically brave during the fight, managing to stay on his feet throughout the duration. 

Del Boy after the fight admitted that he was thankful the referee jumped in to stop the bout, however.  

‘Thanks to the ref,’ he said. ‘As a fighter, you don’t want to stop, you’ll go out on your shield. The ref said, “If you take more punches, I’m gonna pull you out”. And thank you, Tyson. I really appreciate that. Me and Tyson are friends.’