Once upon a time, Dereck Chisora was slated to duke it out with Wladimir Klitschko. Most likely, the agreement to fight Chisora was just a negotiating tactic in the prolonged dance between world class let-down David Haye and Dr. Steelhammer, and it was soon called off. Chisora’s career has suffered since then, before he looked great in an unfortunate losing effort in his last bout, and now he is back on February 18th, taking on Klitschko the Elder before a very pro-Klitschko Munich crowd.
Dereck Chisora (15-2, 9 KOs)
6’1 1/2″ tall, 74″ reach, 244 lbs, 27 years old
British
Former British and Commonwealth Champion
Dereck Chisora was once a hot, rising prospect in the British heavyweight boxing picture, but I think he can be safely categorized as a fringe contender for the time being. If you count his close, Split Decision loss to Robert Helenius as a win (and many do), he is 1-1 in fights with other prospects, due to his clean loss to Tyson Fury. “Del Boy” is a busy, capable fighter, but not top tier contender material.
Vitali Klitschko (43-2, 40 KOs)
6’7 1/2″ tall, 80″ reach, 247 lbs, 40 years old
Ukrainian
Two-time and current WBC Heavyweight Champion
Dr. Ironfist needs little introduction. His second reign as WBC champ started in 2008, and Klitschko the Elder has dominated every opponent put in the ring with him since. He fights in the stand-up, linear Continental style, but brings an uncommon fluidity and savagery to it. It certainly helps that Klitschko is one of the biggest, strongest and hardest hitting boxers on the planet. Most of his fights boil down to watching big brother Klitschko sticking a punishing jab from a distance and firing an anti-tank missile of a straight right from way down-range, and then coming forward to put the hurt down the moment the opponent shows the slightest vulnerability.
Klitschko vs. Chisora Preview and Analysis
Chisora has one hope, and one hope alone. Vitali Klitschko has always been injury-prone, and he is now 40 years old. There is the very real possibility if Chisora can make Klitschko work hard enough in finding him and putting leather on him, Klitschko will hurt himself in the process. I don’t have much expectation of that happening, however.
Chisora is a reasonably big guy, but not big enough to stand in with Dr. Ironfist. “Del Boy” also isn’t anywhere near the skilled, gritty boxer that Tomasz Adamek is, so it’s not like Klitschko will have a hard time finding the mark for his lance-like jab.
In the end, I expect Vitali Klitschko will do what he has been doing his whole career (sans the Lennox Lewis and Chris Byrd losses).
Klitschko vs. Chisora Prediction: Vitali Klitschko TKO10
