Derek Chisora says a rematch between Tyson Fury and John McDermott won’t tell the public much – because he’s the best domestic heavyweight out there. The British Boxing Board of Control has ordered a return between Fury and McDermott following their controversial English title fight earlier this month. Fury won a hotly-disputed decision. But confident Del Boy says whoever wins won’t be holding on to the title for long. “Fury’s been talking like the second coming of Muhammad Ali, but he got exposed for what he is against McDermott,” said Chisora..
“He’s got a big gob but he fights like a big girl.
“I’m praying that he somehow manages to beat McDermott again, because that means I’ll still be able to take away his unbeaten record.
“I don’t think there was much doubt that McDermott won the first fight, so Fury must have felt like he’d won the lottery.”
Chisora, unbeaten in 10 fights and due to appear again at Bethnal Green’s York Hall on October 9, also poured scorn on McDermott.
“John’s a nice guy but he’s not a nice boxer,” the 25-year-old added.
“I felt sorry for him when he lost to Fury, but if he was any good then he would have knocked him out.
“If McDermott gets that title back then I hope he makes his first defence against me because I’ll show people what a true heavyweight prospect looks like.”
Tyson Fury ready to prove he has the X Factor on Irish debut
Tyson Fury will be out to impress in Dublin this weekend when he makes his Irish pro debut live on terrestrial television. The unbeaten Manchester based heavyweight is a special attraction on the undercard of Irish hero Bernard Dunne’s first defence of his World WBA Super Bantamweight title at The O2 in Dublin on Saturday night.
Fury is already familiar to Irish viewers following a guest appearance on the celebrity boxing series, Charity Lord of the Rings last month and the 6 foot 9 inch 21-year-old is planning on making another big impression at The O2.
Fury has been matched with Tomas Mrazek, the Czech heavyweight who floored former British Champ Michael Holden en route to a draw in his last outing.
“I’m very proud of my Irish roots so to fight live on terrestrial TV over in Ireland is something I’m very excited about”, said Fury. “I would have loved to fight for the Irish Heavyweight title on the card but I can’t seem to get any of these other Irish heavyweights in the ring.
“I was ringside when Bernard Dunne won the title in March and the atmosphere that night was sensational. The O2 is a terrific arena for boxing, it’s like being in the Colusseum and I can’t wait to walk out in front of that crowd and do a real number on Mrazek.”
The weekend’s bout marks a quick return to action for Fury coming just two weeks after his English title win over John McDermott. That bout saw Fury go the distance for the first time in his 8 bout career but Fury says he’s ready to return to his knockout ways in Dublin.
“I didn’t perform to my best last time out,” admitted Fury. “The important thing was that I still got the win. I know I’m not the finished article yet, I’ve a lot to learn but I’m willing to put in the work.”
A rematch with McDermott could be on the agenda and Fury is confident that the scorecards will not be required second time around. “That was the best possible John McDermott and the worst possible Tyson Fury in that first fight. A rematch would be a completely different fight and I’ll stop him next time.”
Fury’s promoter Mick Hennessy believes that McDermott is less than keen on a return bout. “On the Monday after the fight we offered McDermott a rematch for the chief support slot on the undercard of the Carl Froch and Andre Dirrell Super Six fight in Nottingham on October 17th McDermott’s manager said he wouldn’t be ready for that date but Tyson will have fought three times in that same 6 week period.
“I don’t believe Tyson is getting anything like the credit he deserves for making the leap from having only gone 4 rounds to going straight into a 10 round championship fight with a seasoned veteran like McDermott who is a proven, top domestic heavyweight.
“Even though Tyson was far, far from his best on the night he showed the tenacity, guile, heart and engine to prevail in a high pace championship fight and still finish the stronger man. I believe that had it been a 12 round fight he would definitely have stopped McDermott.”
Barker the latest arrival at Chelsea
Commonwealth Middleweight champ “Dazzling” Darren Barker and his beloved Chelsea both have the same goals for the coming season – to prove that they are the best in England and Europe.
The undefeated 27-year-old will meet up with the Chelsea squad at training on Friday although the Barnet man says he won’t be kicking too many footballs. “If I’m honest I’m pretty rubbish with my feet,” admitted Barker. “I’ll stick to the boxing but I’ve been a big Chelsea fan since I was a kid and I’ve been to all the home games so far this season.”
Barker received the invite to join up with Carlo Ancelotti’s men after star player Joe Cole was ringside for his last fight. “Joe’s a big boxing fan,” revealed Barker. “He was at my last fight in Watford (a fourth round KO of Darren McDermott) and it was great to have him supporting me. I think he’s managed to convert a few more of the players to boxing and they are going to come along to the next one as well.”
First up for Barker though is a trip to Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham on Friday morning. “It will be good to see their training setup. It will be a warm up session ahead of their game with Wigan so it will probably be light enough, I wouldn’t mind putting them through one of my boxing sessions at some stage though!”
Barker is confident that new manager Carlo Ancelotti can finally deliver the one thing that’s been missing at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons – the Champions League.
“He’s come in over the summer and already it looks like he’s going to do a great job. Obviously winning the Premiership would be great but it’s the Champions League that has been the missing piece and I think that’s the one the fans really want.”
Barker will be hoping for continental honours of his own this season. He looks set to add the British title to his Commonwealth belt before the end of the year and he’s hoping to join The Blues on the European honours list by the end of the season.
“It would be a dream come true to walk out at the Bridge and be able to show off the British, Commonwealth and European title belts.
“I had been due to fight Matthew Macklin for the British title but he found a way to swerve that fight and vacate the title rather than fight me. He’s now fighting Amin Asikainen instead for the European title.
“The Macklin fight was one I really wanted but hopefully now I can push on, win the British title and then take on the winner of that fight early next year.”