Andrew Redington - Getty Images
Vitali Klitschko and Dereck Chisora are headed for a February 18 showdown in Germany. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
WBC heavyweight titlist Vitali Klitschko will face Dereck Chisora on February 18 in Germany, and the pair did a pretty good job selling their fight at a press conference in London. Here are a couple of the best quotes, via RingTV.com. First up, Chisora:
"I have already said to Vitali: 'I hope you don't chicken out like your little brother, just make sure you are there'. I just hope you do not come up with excuses, or say there is a problem with this or that. I just want to fight. Everybody is tired of you and your brother, because you do not bring excitement to the game. They have killed the sport I love.
"It is time for the new king, and that will be me come February 18. I have everyone around the world on my side. Most of Europe, fans in America, people in south Africa, even those in the north…"
Having remained motionless throughout, Klitschko suddenly felt obliged to intervene at this point and ask whether he could count on the support of China too?
"They may not have heard of me in China but, after I whoop your ass, then they will, " Chisora responded.
Chisora is of course referencing a pair of fights he had scheduled with Wladimir Klitschko in December 2009 and April 2010, which both fell through due to injury and then Wladimir finally making a deal with David Haye.
As for Vitali, he sold his opponent in the best possible way, something that isn't done enough in boxing: He gave him credit and said he has a chance of winning.
"Everyone I have spoken to says Dereck is the best contender out there. I respect him and I know he will not be an easy opponent. I am treating the fight very seriously. Everyone says that the fights of the Klitschkos are boring. That's because we win. We need someone who can beat us. I believe Dereck can do that."
Klitschko (43-2, 40 KO) disposed of Odlanier Solis (TKO-1, injury) and Tomasz Adamek (TKO-10) in 2011, and at age 40, says he wants to fight twice this year and then seriously consider his future in the sport. Neither of the Klitschkos are dummies, and neither intend to hang around and take punishment.
And while Chisora (15-2, 9 KO) is absolutely, without question an enormous underdog, and a win would be almost impossible to top as the 2012 Upset of the Year, he is going to come to fight. I don't think there's any doubt about that. When he's in shape, Chisora is one of the hardest chargers in the heavyweight division, a fearless guy who isn't afraid to get hit or risk getting knocked out. Vitali is a big step up from Robert Helenius, against whom Chisora was robbed in November in Finland, but Chisora is about as interesting an opponent as there is for Vitali. If he can really pressure the big man, he just might have that little shot to pull this thing off.
Probably not, but they're at least selling the fight the right way.
0 recs | 18 comments
I think this is going to be an almighty tear-up.
Just got a feeling the styles will blend well and, while it lasts, Chisora gives Vitali a real fight. And then gets knocked out.
Oli Goldstein - January 9, 2012
Agree 100%
If Chisora turned up in the shape he fought Helenius, he would still have his 0 (Discounting the fact he was robbed against the nightmare)
Sweet science - January 9, 2012
He’d have a 1 if he hadn’t been robbed, and he’d have an 0 if he’d turned up in shape…
Oli Goldstein - January 9, 2012
Chisora doesn’t have a chance.
Helenius was terrible in that fight, and isn’t all that good in general, although he has moments of sheer brilliance. Klitschko will murder Chisora.
DrRck - January 9, 2012
I’m saying Vitali in six or seven, in Vitali’s best fight in years. Chisora is that crazy that I think he’s going to go right at him.
Scott Christ - January 9, 2012
I’ll go for 9 or 10, but only because it seems to take that long for the Klitschkos to ramp up.
I still say that Chisora gets badly pounded.
DrRck - January 9, 2012
I'll go in the middle and say 8 :)
well done to Chisora for earning the fight (I think he deserves it more now after Helenius) but I agree that he will most likely get a bad beating
BrianBrock - January 10, 2012
I think Vitali will most likely win but Chisora should at least make it entertaining and if he loses he can always rematch Fury for the commonwealth title, an in shape Chisora vs Fury would make for a nice little domestic fight. Also the photos of Vitali and Chisora with Del Boy’s three wheeler are hilarious – http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-klitschko-chisora-go-face-face-london—48296
Counterpunch - January 9, 2012
The height difference doesn’t look as big as I thought it was there.
gravydeath - January 9, 2012
Also best quote from the conference is Chisora saying – “The time is here. He is the doctor and I am the black plague. I am coming to destroy him in his own back yard.”
Counterpunch - January 9, 2012
Though I can’t stand the constant wearing of the annoying “Ali” hat I kind of like Derek Chisora. Far from the David Haye debacle with Wladimir Klitschko at least Del Boy comes to fight when he says he’ll come to fight. He’ll get paid no doubt but I have a feeling he actually wants the belt and not so the grip….go figure.
David Haye take note: You can fight to win and still get paid.
CollegeDropIn - January 9, 2012
This is very good. Anyway, I like it.
DrRck - January 9, 2012
+1
BoxAnne - January 10, 2012
Chisora does a few things very well
like moving his head and getting low to work his way inside.
He’ll give Vit a real fight, but I think he would have a better shot vs Wlad.
Lee Payton - January 9, 2012
No
Wlad is far too quick on his feet. He wouldn’t have a chance of getting inside. He might last the full 12 against Wlad, but it would be painful to watch. Vitali will at least give him openings as he stands and trades
Sweet science - January 10, 2012
Not sure if I agree. Wladimir hasn’t really had to go backwards in years, but in the good ol’ days, when he didn’t have the jab, he used to move backwards in straight lines whenever pressure was applied. We simply haven’t seen anyone consistently pressuring the guy for years; the only fighter who attempted to come at him in recent times was Sam Peter, who actually did have Wladimir going backwards, albeit the Ukrainian had an easy time picking apart the slow, agricultural Peter. Chisora wouldn’t be anywhere near as easy to pick off – although he’s still very hittable, just not Peter-hittable – and I wouldn’t be too shocked to see some of the old Wladimir issues resurface should he not be able to get Chisora out. Wladimir doesn’t like being out of control; just a question of whether someone can convincingly and consistently get him out of his comfort zone. I still think he’s a very beatable fighter, to be honest, but there aren’t many guys in this heavyweight division who properly apply pressure any more. Too many overweight lumbering giants who plod around on the outside.
Oli Goldstein - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I don't think he would have to go backwards as such
Take a step here and there….. Wlad’s step back from the jab is so quick. All he has to do is give himself room. I think he is quick enough on his feet to do that. And his jab will be good enough to halt Chisora, unlike Heleinus
Sweet science - January 10, 2012
Well, Chisora does have wit, I'll give him that much. But a chance? No, I don't really give him that.
Matt Miller - January 10, 2012
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