BBC Boxing: Heavyweight Hunter Eyes Usyk Rematch After Chaney Fight
Veteran heavyweight boxer Michael Hunter, 35, has set his sights on two main goals before retiring: winning a world title and avenging his sole professional loss to current undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Hunter (22-1-2, 16 KOs) will take a significant step towards those aspirations on Friday night when he battles Cassius Chaney (23-1, 16 KOs) in a 12-round bout for the WBA Interim heavyweight title at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The former Olympian looks back with regret at his 2017 clash with Usyk, where he believes he was not the fighter he should have been. Citing issues with weight and hydration, Hunter is confident he can put up a stronger challenge in a potential rematch against the 37-year-old Ukrainian, who is now contractually obligated to a December title defense against Tyson Fury.
“I would love to fight Usyk again,” Hunter told BoxingScene. “I didn’t have a good showing at that point. I had a little malfunction outside of the ring.”
The New York native noted that financial pressures related to the birth of his first child affected his preparation for the Usyk fight, where he was significantly underweight and dehydrated compared to his opponent.
Despite the defeat, Hunter maintained respect for Usyk’s disciplined and measured approach, acknowledging the Ukrainian’s strengths as a fast, intelligent boxer who stays true to his style.
A victory over the 36-year-old Chaney would propel Hunter into a mandatory challenger position for Usyk’s titles, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch between the two heavyweight contenders.
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