Bitter heavyweight rivals Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte came face to face today at a press conference to further promote a British heavyweight title fight that in truth needs no further hype. These two DO NOT like one another and even if reigning British champ Whyte has made a habit of engaging in a war of words, verbally attacking a number of his previous opponents, the simmering intensity between these two is as real as it gets.
Before today’s presser, promoter Eddie Hearn was admittedly concerned over the two big men coming to blows or doing something generally crazy. This, thankfully did not happen (although these two have been involved in out-of-the-ring shenanigans before; remember Chisora’s infamous “bottle” incident with David Haye in Germany?)
Today, Chisora, 26-6(18) and Whyte, 19-1(15) exchanged words, not shoves or punches. All set to get it on the the upcoming Dec 10 Anthony Joshua-Eric Molina card in Manchester, it’s possible the chief heavyweight support bout might steal the show.
Whyte, the only man to have thus far given IBF champ Joshua a real fight (at pro level) said today that he will not only KO “Del Boy,” but that he will retire his rival from the sport.
“For this fight, I’m not looking to go to points,” Whyte said. “I’m looking to put a stop to Dereck Chisora’s career. He’s been nicking a living out of boxing and I think a lot people want to see an end to him now. I’m looking forward to seeing him, collecting the bins in my neighbourhood after I put the beat-down on him. This fight, I’m definitely looking to knock him out.”
Chisora, always naturally entertaining and humorous – whereas Whyte at times seems to be trying too hard to be witty – came out with the best lines. The former world title challenger even compared himself to herpes at one point!
“I’ve lost six fights, people write me off but you can’t write me off,” Chisora said. “I’m like herpes – one minute I’m gone then one minute, I pop back up. All I see is Dillian on the canvas. There’s nothing much I’m scared of, he doesn’t bring much to the table. He’s got a good selection of punches but he hasn’t got a power punch so I’m looking forward to the fight.
Will Chisora’s, “he hasn’t got a power punch” remark return to haunt him? Whyte certainly wobbled and hurt Joshua in the early going of their exciting December 2015 rumble. Both Whyte and Chisora are looking for the KO win, but who has the better chance of scoring a KO? Whyte has been stopped just once, by AJ, while Chisora has been stopped just twice, by David Haye (a legit KO) and by Tyson Fury in their second fight (when a busted up Chisora was retired on his stool).
This fight may come down to how much Chsira has left. If he has enough, he will make Whyte eat his words. Chisora, at 32 the older man by four years, has way more experience and he is – or was – as tough as they come. This is a tough one to call. I lean slightly towards Chisora to get the win and regain the British title he last held in 2011.