Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk to make heavyweight debut against Tyrone Spong on Oct. 12
Oleksandr Usyk is ready for his heavyweight debut.
The former undisputed cruiserweight king will face Tyrone Spong at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Oct. 12, live on DAZN. And the Ukrainian star can't wait.
“I am very excited to make my heavyweight debut in Chicago on October 12, live on DAZN,” Usyk said in a press release statement. “Spong is a fast and powerful heavyweight who has had much success in the ring. I must come through this test to challenge for the world heavyweight title. I look forward to seeing everyone there.”
Stakes are high considering Usyk is already the mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title that Andy Ruiz Jr. snatched from Anthony Joshua, and he wouldn't want to lose that status to Spong.
The 32-year-old Usyk is coming off an eighth-round TKO of Tony Bellew in November, his first bout in a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing USA. Now, he'll see if he can pack as much punch in the heavyweight division, beginning with Spong (14-0, 13 KOs) who's coming off a KO of Jeyson Minda this past weekend in Merida, Mexico.
“Usyk’s heavyweight debut is one of the most hotly anticipated boxing moments of 2019 and personally, I can’t wait to see it,” Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said. “Oleksandr is a phenomenon who dominated the cruiserweight division becoming undisputed after just 15 fights.
"Now, as he prepares to challenge for the world heavyweight title, he must first overcome Tyrone Spong in Chicago," he continued. "Spong will be explosive and dangerous and we expect an electric heavyweight battle at the Wintrust Arena, live on DAZN.”
After capturing a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics, Usyk turned pro in September 2013 and has remained unbeaten through 16 fights.
Spong turned to boxing after a 13-year career in kickboxing in which he won 91 of his 100 bouts.
