Szpilka: “Punches Will Fly In London!”
Artur Szpilka has refused to engage in any trash talk with Derek Chisora and has instead promised to let his fists do the talking when he clashes with the Finchley Heavyweight at The O2 in London on Saturday July 20, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.
Although Szpilka’s dream of becoming the first ever Polish Heavyweight Champion of the World was brutally destroyed by WBC ruler Deontay Wilder in 2016, the 30-year-old southpaw from Wieliczka still believes he can achieve big things in boxing.
Power-puncher Szpilka, with only world level defeats on his resume, was giving the champion problems in the opening few rounds until he was caught by a huge shot in round nine.
He has since returned to winning ways in his native country, including a victory over domestic rival Mariusz Wach back in November, and the awkward 6’ 3.5” southpaw believes that a win over ‘WAR’ Chisora will fire his name back into the Heavyweight mix.
“The Heavyweight division is now wide open,” said Szpilka. “We saw Andy Ruiz Jr stop Anthony Joshua in New York a few weeks ago in a big upset. I believe that every top ten fighter now has a chance of winning a version of the Heavyweight world title. However, my full focus is on Derek Chisroa. I’m not thinking about anything else.
“Despite the eventual KO I think it was quite a good fight with Wilder. I had to fight with a broken hand from the fourth round onwards. Deontay finally got me in the ninth round but this is boxing. Up until that point I was very much in the fight and proved I can mix it at that level. I hope the best is still to come.”
July 20 will not be the first time that Szpilka and Chisora have shared a ring. The rivals already had a chance to trade punches during the filming of the 2018 film ‘Pitbull’, a Polish gangster film in which the two men were involved in a brief boxing scene.
Chisora has spoken of his willingness to take on former WBO ruler Joseph Parker should he get past Szpilka on Saturday, but ‘The Pin’ believes that his London rival would be a fool to overlook him and has vowed to prove any doubters wrong.
“I met him and we had a short chat. Yes, we know each other but we are not friends. We indeed traded some blows but not heavy ones. It was more fun than a real fight. The real punches will fly in London! I have a lot of respect for Chisora. He is a true warrior and he always fights to the final bell, so I’m ready and prepared for a tough fight. I chose this fight because we are both crazy men and it’s going to be a crazy fight.
“I know that people are talking about Chisora fighting Jospeh Parker this autumn and I know Derek and his manager David Haye are trying to get under my skin by mentioning this, but I don’t want to get involved in this trash talk too much. I’ll answer them on July 20. My fists will do the talking!”
Chisora vs Szpilka at The O2
Derek Chisora will clash with former World title challenger Artur Szpilka on a huge night of Heavyweight action at The O2 in London on July 20 that also sees Dillian Whyte take on the undefeated Oscar Rivas for the number one spot in the WBC and Dave Allen collide with David Price in a must-win domestic showdown, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Chisora (30-9, 21 KOs) cruised to a comfortable points win over Senad Gashi at The O2 in April in his first fight with new trainer Dave Coldwell on his big return after he came sensationally close to beating ‘The Body Snatcher’ in their brutal December rematch.
The Finchley man still has a point to prove in the Heavyweight division and has already targeted fights with former WBO ruler and recent Matchroom Boxing USA signing Joseph Parker and undisputed Cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk should he come through his Szpilka test next month.
“July 20 is not going to be an easy night in the office, I know that,” said Chisora. “Szpilka is an unpredictable come-forward southpaw, I will need to be in the best physical condition of my career to win this WAR, but I’m ready. Remember, I’m true a fighter, I love the heat of the battlefield, I’m at my most comfortable when most fighters would want to quit. July 20 is going to be explosive, Szpilka won’t be hearing the final bell.”
Szpilka (22-3, 15 KOs), a tricky and awkward 6ft 3.5 southpaw, fell short in his attempt to become Poland’s first Heavyweight World Champion when he challenged for Deontay Wilder’s WBC crown back in January 2016.
Aside from Wilder, Szpilka’s only other career defeats have come to World level opposition in former World title challenger Bryant Jennings in 2014 and unbeaten contender Adam Kownacki in 2017, and the power puncher from Wieliczka is predicting fireworks against ‘WAR’ Chisora.
“I chose this fight because we are both crazy men and it’s going to be a crazy fight!” said Szpilka. “Chisora is a good fighter, he is bull strong and he can box well. He turns up to every fight in great condition, so I know it is going to be a tough night for me. We are both warriors who like to fight, this will be violent.
“I’m relishing the opportunity to fight in front of all my UK fans for the first time in career. I know that there is a proud Polish community in London and I’m sure they will turn out in their numbers to get behind me on July 20 my country’s first Heavyweight World Champion.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “This is a great fight on a huge night of Heavyweight boxing. Both are unpredictable characters but both must win this fight and I believe we will see an England vs. Poland war at The O2 on July 20. Add this fight to the important Whyte vs. Rivas shootout and the big domestic clash between Allen and Price and you’ve got a big night of big men looking to take people out!”
Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing said: “It’s terrific to have one of most charismatic Heavyweights Derek Chisora back at The O2 in an unpredictable and exciting fight against the wild Artur Szpilka.
“We were ringside when Szpilka gave Deontay Wilder a real test in Brooklyn and we now welcome him to London. Dillian Whyte topped a cracking event last July – so bring on another Summer Heavyweight Sizzler – live on Sky Sports Box Office a year on.”
Chisora vs. Szpilka is part of a huge night of boxing in the Capital, main event sees Dillian Whyte (25-1, 18 KOs) take on undefeated Columbian Oscar Rivas (26-0, 18 KOs) for the number one spot in the WBC, Dave Allen (17-4-2, 14 KOs) and David Price (24-6, 19 KOs) clash in a must-win domestic showdown, heavy-hitting Londoner Richard Riakporhe (9-0, 8 KOs) puts his WBA Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title on the line against unbeaten Bournemouth man Chris Billam-Smith (9-0, 8 KOs) and Canning Town’s Charlie Duffield (7-1, 6 KOs) clashes with Lewisham’s Dan Azeez (8-0, 5 KOs) for the vacant Southern Area Light-Heavyweight title.
Tickets for Whyte vs. Rivas are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300, £500 and £800 VIP.
General Sale tickets are available to purchase from StubHub