lpinoy
10-22-2010, 12:03 AM
By Steve Douglas
USA Today
LONDON — Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has vowed to make Derek Chisora pay for making light of his boxing skills when they meet in a world title fight in Germany.
Chisora, the British and Commonwealth champion who is undefeated in 14 fights, is widely expected to be out of his depth when he takes on Klitschko <emdash /> who holds the IBF, IBO and WBO titles <emdash /> in Mannheim, Germany on Dec. 11.
But the 26-year-old Chisora seems full of confidence, winding up Klitschko at a news conference in London by insisting he will "take him out of his comfort zone" and saying that the best thing about the Ukrainian is his ring entrance.
The experienced Klitschko, who is unbeaten in six years and has ruled the heavyweight division for the past decade along with his older brother Vitali, was undeterred.
"You say I have no boxing skills, you say it's going to be rough and tough. Maybe you consider me a bum in boxing," Klitschko said. "Well, good luck. I will make you eat your words. I love to do paintwork on your face."
Chisora was handed an unexpected opportunity to take on Klitschko after talks between the 34-year-old three-belt champion and England's David Haye, who holds the WBA title, broke down over money. A three-fight deal was reached earlier this month after just four or five days' talks, according to Chisora's promoter Frank Warren. Under the deal, Chisora will fight Vitali next if he wins in December.
Haye, meanwhile, will fight fellow London-born boxer Audley Harrison in Manchester next month in a bout which is expected to be as one-sided as Klitschko-Chisora.
Klitschko, however, praised Chisora for doing what he claims Haye is failing to do.
"I respect Derek that he took the chance without considering it too long. He heard about and got it," said Klitschko, who has won 55 of his 58 fights <emdash /> 49 by knockout. "I know another man who is fighting next month in the 'London championship fight' with his London buddy. He was talking a lot, doing a lot but never coming into the ring.
"Derek is young, he's only had 14 fights but that doesn't say a lot. His confidence says a lot, his will says a lot. Remember, Leon Spinks had only eight fights before he beat Muhammad Ali."
Chisora, who will prepare for the fight by training in the Scottish Highlands next month, earned what will be the biggest payday of his career after unifying the British and Commonwealth titles with a ninth-round stoppage of Sam Sexton in Birmingham last month.
"I am more hungry than any other fighter he's boxed," Chisora said. "I want it more than he wants it. It's not going to be a boxing match, it's going to be a fight. I'm going to take him out of his comfort zone. I didn't expect it to come as early as this. The opportunity has knocked on my door and I took it."
Chisora predicted he will knock Klitschko out in the seventh or eighth round.
Most experts, however, are betting on Klitschko, who has won five fights since unifying his three belts by beating Sultan Ibragimov in New York in February, 2008.
USA Today
LONDON — Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has vowed to make Derek Chisora pay for making light of his boxing skills when they meet in a world title fight in Germany.
Chisora, the British and Commonwealth champion who is undefeated in 14 fights, is widely expected to be out of his depth when he takes on Klitschko <emdash /> who holds the IBF, IBO and WBO titles <emdash /> in Mannheim, Germany on Dec. 11.
But the 26-year-old Chisora seems full of confidence, winding up Klitschko at a news conference in London by insisting he will "take him out of his comfort zone" and saying that the best thing about the Ukrainian is his ring entrance.
The experienced Klitschko, who is unbeaten in six years and has ruled the heavyweight division for the past decade along with his older brother Vitali, was undeterred.
"You say I have no boxing skills, you say it's going to be rough and tough. Maybe you consider me a bum in boxing," Klitschko said. "Well, good luck. I will make you eat your words. I love to do paintwork on your face."
Chisora was handed an unexpected opportunity to take on Klitschko after talks between the 34-year-old three-belt champion and England's David Haye, who holds the WBA title, broke down over money. A three-fight deal was reached earlier this month after just four or five days' talks, according to Chisora's promoter Frank Warren. Under the deal, Chisora will fight Vitali next if he wins in December.
Haye, meanwhile, will fight fellow London-born boxer Audley Harrison in Manchester next month in a bout which is expected to be as one-sided as Klitschko-Chisora.
Klitschko, however, praised Chisora for doing what he claims Haye is failing to do.
"I respect Derek that he took the chance without considering it too long. He heard about and got it," said Klitschko, who has won 55 of his 58 fights <emdash /> 49 by knockout. "I know another man who is fighting next month in the 'London championship fight' with his London buddy. He was talking a lot, doing a lot but never coming into the ring.
"Derek is young, he's only had 14 fights but that doesn't say a lot. His confidence says a lot, his will says a lot. Remember, Leon Spinks had only eight fights before he beat Muhammad Ali."
Chisora, who will prepare for the fight by training in the Scottish Highlands next month, earned what will be the biggest payday of his career after unifying the British and Commonwealth titles with a ninth-round stoppage of Sam Sexton in Birmingham last month.
"I am more hungry than any other fighter he's boxed," Chisora said. "I want it more than he wants it. It's not going to be a boxing match, it's going to be a fight. I'm going to take him out of his comfort zone. I didn't expect it to come as early as this. The opportunity has knocked on my door and I took it."
Chisora predicted he will knock Klitschko out in the seventh or eighth round.
Most experts, however, are betting on Klitschko, who has won five fights since unifying his three belts by beating Sultan Ibragimov in New York in February, 2008.