Dereck Chisora is ready for David Haye
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Vitali Klitschko (R) of Ukraine exchanges punches with Dereck Chisora of Great Britain during their WBC Heavyweight World Championship fight at Olympia Halle on February 18, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) Credit: Getty/Alexander Hassenstein
On paper, Dereck Chisora’s recent track record leaves a little to be desired. The British heavyweight (pictured left) has dropped three of his last four fights, including a unanimous-decision to Vitali Klitschko in February.
No one should be fooled by Chisora’s recent misfortune. He was praised for his tough chin in his loss to Klitschko. In his bout before that, a split-decision setback to Robert Helenius, most felt Chisora (15-3, 9-0 KOs) deserved the decision.
Chisora will take on fellow British heavyweight David Haye in a 12-round bout on Saturday live from West Ham United's Upton Park stadium in London on EPIXHD.
“I wanna be all over the guy,” said Chisora. “I wanna be all over him like a baby’s rash.”
Big things could be in store for the winner of this bout. A shot at one of the Klitschko could certainly be in the cards. But Chisora isn’t focused on the Klitschkos. He’s more worried his British fans.
“For us [this fight] is so we can walk in London with out heads held high,” said Chisora. “Right now this fight is for pride.”
It’s a fight that nearly didn’t happen. Chisora and Haye got into a brawl during the Klitschko post-fight press conference. Haye swung a camera tripod toward Chisora. Chisora threatened to shoot Haye.
Chisora was arrested and questioned by German police for his part in the brawl, but was later released. The incident wasn’t without consequence as the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) revoked the licenses of both fighters.
The WBC also issued an indefinite suspension of Chisora.
“There is no independent arbitration process,” Chisora’s promoter Frank Warren said of the BBBC and its decision.
Warren said the BBBC is “determined to bury Dereck”.
“I never owned a gun,” said Chisora. “I apologize to the British public for that.”
But the fight will still go on as the Luxembourg Boxing Federation (LBF) has sanctioned the bout. As if the fight needed anymore controversy, the LBF has taken legal action against the BBBC for it described as “intimidation” tactics.
Here’s an excerpt from a LBF statement: “We have issued proceedings to prevent the Board from intimidating its own members into not participating in the fight. The Board has admitted that it can do nothing legally to stop the fight but it is still threatening to call its licence-holders to account for their involvement.”
Chisora said has moved on from the incident and is ready to face Haye. He predicted a seventh-round knockout.
Said Chisora: “It’s about knocking this fool out because I don’t like him.”
