Defending WBC World Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko, unbeaten for almost nine years and with an impressive 40 knockout victims on his 45 fight slate, shall be enjoying home court and significant edges in height and reach. Unsurprisingly, bookmakers have installed Dereck Chisora as a 9-1 underdog.
Below, ‘Del Boy Chisora’ tells Glynn Evans why, this time, they’ve got it wrong.
Ten weeks on, how do you reflect on the failed European title challenge to Finland’s Robert Helenius in Helsinki? The loss on your record must be infuriating yet, the quality of your performance has earned you a world title shot.
I really enjoyed that fight, man, and they robbed me. In boxing, there has to be a winner and a loser but I got the short straw. I won clearly, I’m really gutted that I’ve got that loss on my record. The so called ‘loss’ certainly never made me doubt my ability.
Helenius was better than Fury but not the best I’ve fought. That was probably Sam (Sexton), a very good counterpuncher. If I fought Robert again, I’d really bash him up, stop him. He don’t want to fight me again. Never.
In contrast to the Fury defeat, when you arrived unfit, you were in superb shape for Helenius. How do you explain that?
For Tyson I was just really depressed because Wladimir (Klitschko) pulled out on me twice. Also I was doing far too much weights, not enough cardio, so I have to give a big shout to John Ramos, my fitness trainer, for changing everything. Against Helenius, I was so fit, man, had such energy.
How has your training camp gone for Klitschko?
I’ll have trained for six weeks solid with ‘The Don’ (trainer Don Charles) in Finchley. I’ll be entering the ring weighing around 17 stone built for speed and power. I’ve been sparring Ali Adams and a French-Algerian guy and everything has gone perfectly. No excuses.
Twice last year, Klitschko’s younger brother Wladimir left you stranded at the altar. Will doubts still exist as to whether you’ll get your chance to challenge for the world heavyweight title, until Vitali is actually facing you in the ring on Saturday night?
No, I’m sure it’s going to happen this time. Size wise and ability wise, the brothers are reasonably similar and I’ve prepared the same way for Vitali as I did for Wladimir, but the older one (Vitali) likes to fight, has bigger balls. It’s a harder ask but I wasn’t looking for an easy option. He’ll turn up. I like Vitali, he’s a good man.
Since April 2004, 10 successive WBC challengers have perished at the fists of ‘Dr Iron Fist’, eight capitulating inside the distance. What makes Dereck Chisora any different?
Most fear Vitali and are defeated before they enter the ring but I’m not scared of either of the brothers. I’m excited about this opportunity. Vitali’s wary of me, man, he knows I’ll come to fight. The big difference between me and all the other challengers he’s faced is that I love fighting.
Having been fleeced in Finland, are you apprehensive about receiving a fair shake from the officials, fighting away from home in Bavaria?
Fighting overseas in the opponent’s home yard again, isn’t a concern. The Klitschko’s are boring. Everyone wants me to end their tedious reign. This time, we’ve got the right judges and I’m confident they’ll make the right decision but they won’t be needed.
How can you win?
Vitali’s height won’t present a problem. He’s no bigger than Helenius and look how I handled him.
I’ve got to get inside and hurt him. I’m going to come in bobbing and weaving, take it to him Joe Frazier style and, trust me, I’m going to outjab him. I might take a few grazes as I’m coming in but I’ve done loads of running and he won’t be able to stay with my pace.
Klitschko don’t like going backwards and he’s always got his hands down. Eight is my lucky number and that’s the round he’s getting knocked out in, my big magical right hand. If you can’t believe then why do anything.
To place a bet on the big heavyweight fight go to www.paddypower.com/bet/boxing?AFF_ID=10062135
February 16, 2012
