Stand and Deliver
Vitali Klitschko - Dereck Chisora Heavyweight Title Fight Preview
Munich - This Saturday Britain's Dereck Chisora will enter the ring with a giant of the world heavyweight boxing division. Not only in physical stature is Vitali Klitschko a huge obstacle but along with his younger brother Wladimir, he's also one of the most dominant boxers the heavyweight division has ever known.
The Klitschko brothers have been sharing training facilities in the Austrian mountains in preparation for their title defences. Vitali defends his WBC belt against Chisora at Munich's Olympiahalle tonight while Wladimir takes on Frenchman Jean-Marc Mormeck in defence of his WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO titles on March 3rd in Dusseldorf.
Francis Warren [Chisora's promoter] confidently claimed at a press conference earlier this week that Chisora will be victorious. "Dereck is here to cause a massive upset that will felt around the world. People will remember where they were when they saw Klitschko knocked out by Chisora."
It's a bold claim especially because many boxing experts feel that it's Vitali who will cruise to victory on fight night, possibly earning his 44th win in 46 fights, and 41st knockout.
Chisora's trainer Don Charles has only one request and that is for Fritz Sdunek to deliver his fighter to the ring. Referring to the disappointment of the cancellation last year when Chisora was due to fight the younger of the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir who instead went on to defeat David Haye.
Zimbabwe born Chisora has predicted that he will knock out the world champion in round 8 and has made no secret of such an intrepid prediction. "I'm looking forward to this fight and I've trained hard. It’ll be 100mph from the first round to round 8 which I promise you fans now he's going down in."
If the challenger does leap out and take the fight to Klitschko from the first round he'd better have his wits about him. One small lapse of concentration and Klitschko could end his evening with aplomb. On the other hand, if one of Del Boy's big punches lands, it could rock the champion and let him know that Chisora means business.
Vitali as usual is calm and assured and would be happy for his opponent to still be standing by round 8. He won't underestimate his challenger. "You said you wanted to knock me out in round number 8 and you know what, I believed you. I take your words seriously and that's why I'm ready for the fight. Only injury can stop me. I don't believe you [Chisora] can."
Upsets in boxing can and have happened in the past but for Chisora to wake up on Sunday morning as a world champion would top the lot. He should provide the sold-out Olympiahalle with some entertainment but ultimately it's sure to be the Klitschko camp that celebrates a ninth successful defence for their boy.
Tale of the Tape
Vitali Klitschko
Age 40, 45 fights, 43 wins, 40 by KO
Last loss: June 21st, 2003 vs. Lennox Lewis (GB) in a 6th round TKO defeat (cut eye).
Dereck Chisora
Age 28, 17 fights, 15 wins, 9 by KO
Last loss: December 3rd, 2011 vs. Robert Helenius (FIN) by split decision.
