Derek Chisora is convinced that Oleksandr Usyk, since leaving his old coach, is no longer capable of performing at his best.

Naturally, the 39-year-old will have lost a step or two but, for Chisora, it is his training situation that can provide a more accurate explanation than his age.

The pair squared off in 2020, with Usyk scoring a unanimous decision victory over the tenacious pressure fighter in just his second heavyweight outing.

Since then, the Ukrainian has become a two-division undisputed king but is now approaching the end of his decorated career, especially after encountering a tougher-than-expected assignment against former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in May.

Despite scoring an 11th-round stoppage, Usyk was made to work surprisingly hard for the victory and went on to vacate his three heavyweight titles the following month.

And now, it seems, he is targeting a cruiserweight showdown with unified champion David Benavidez, potentially for a chance to reclaim his undisputed crown.

While speaking with talkSPORT, though, heavyweight veteran Chisora suggested that Usyk – who he felt was more effective under the tutelage of head coach Yurii Tkachenko – would be making a mistake by moving back down to 200lbs.

“If he goes back to cruiserweight, I don’t think he’ll win this fight [against Benavidez]. I don’t think he’ll win it because he got rid of his old trainer, and [now] he’s got his pals training him. That’s why his last fight was so s**t.”

Usyk had previously worked with Tkachenko whereas, for the Verhoeven fight, his head coach was Iegor Golub, who also trained Anthony Joshua for the Brit’s last two outings.

As for Benavidez, the WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion returns next month when he faces WBC champion Michal Cieslak, where a win could possibly lead to the clash with Usyk.