Thunder can’t possibly strike twice when Dillian Whyte takes on Manchester United fan Dereck Chisora at London’s o2 Arena this Saturday night?
Last time round, it was widely thought that the build up to the fight; filled with table throwing, cups of water being dashed in people’s faces and the timeless line “Who’s the Don-Key?”, would be far more interesting than anything the pair would produce in the ring. But we were wrong, we were so wrong as the pair proceeded to tear down the Manchester Arena in a heavyweight bout that will be rewatched on Youtube for years in the way Ike Ibeabuchi and David Tua’s monsterous clash is.
Draw or technical draw is 26.00 with RedArmyBet
Fast forward 2 years and Whyte’s stock is as high as it has ever been after knocking out Lucas Browne and surviving a late scare against Joseph Parker to out point the Kiwi. Chisora too is riding the crest of a wave, after an impressive come from behind stoppage of AJ victim Carlos Takam.
Now the two meet again, this time headlining after previously stealing the show from the undercard and if it’s anything like the first fight, we are in for a serious treat.
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The build up to this fight has been pretty subdued with both fighters knowing they actually have a bright future if they win. Whyte is on the cusp of the world stage, whilst Chisora will likely be selected as a contender (or more importantly a big payday) if victorious.
After losing to AJ, Whyte’s rebuild included a fight with Chisora and whilst he didn’t show it in that slugfest, he has improved. His boxing is tidier and he has rediscovered that left hook, used in devastating fashion against the limited Browne. The idea is that if he’s smart and decides to box he could have an easy(ish) night against his Finchley rival, because Chisora is pretty one dimensional. Teak tough, Chisora will come forward, soak up damage and dish out his own punishment and if you can’t take as well as you give, you are in trouble.
Chisora lost near enough every round against Takam in September, but as Takam tee’d off on Chisora, Chisora noted that Takam’s left hand was dangerously low so bounced a huge overhand right off his head. Takam did well to get up but Chisora quickly ended the bout with a looping right hand.
Interestingly, Sky’s Adam Smith was eulogising about Chisora – praising him for absorbing such damage in his ‘last stand’ but with victory Chisora has staved off retirement just that bit longer. But it doesn’t change the fact that Chisora is coming to the end of a career that saw him win domestic and European honours, as well as challenge for the WBC heavyweight title in 2012.
David Haye and Chisora.
A huge aside in this whole bout is the addition of former heavyweight champion and former foe David Haye to the Chisora camp. Brought in in a managerial capacity, Haye has attempted to rein in Chisora and make him a more effective fighter. Having already been to the top of the mountain so to speak, Haye’s experience and advice could prove key to Chisora.
Whyte will know a loss here would prove a huge set back, and the pressure is on him to win against Chisora who is essentially on his farewell tour.
The last fight was extremely close, I had Chisora winning, but Whyte has kicked on since then and is a well deserved favourite second time round.
But given how close as the first fight was, if Chisora can draw Whyte into a slugfest again, the Haye boosted Chisora could walk away with the W. The more likely outcome is the fight going the distance, with Whyte coming out on top again.
The fight to go the distance is 1.66 with RedArmyBet
