Tyson Fury is doing his best to sell an unattractive bout.
The heavyweight champion will defend his title on Saturday in a third game against lackluster rival Derek Chisora, who is 1-3 in his last four games and is deemed unworthy of the title. one more seat for the main belt.
Fury spoke about Chisora’s fighting spirit during his final press conference ahead of the match that will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (ESPN+).
“Whoever fights Derek Chisora is a good fight,” Fury said. “That’s what we know. That is what we have prepared for. And he’s ready and ready to play rock n’ roll. He stepped on the plate, and boomed, here we are.
“There will be a fan stoning just before Christmas.”
One factor plaguing the bout were Fury’s other potential opponents, co-president Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua.
Fans would love to see Fury face off against Usyk for the undisputed championship but Usyk has made it clear he won’t be available until next year. And while representatives for Fury and Joshua are said to have been in touch, the former champ has probably never been serious about risking a third straight loss after consecutive defeats to Usyk.
Fury wants a second fight this year while there’s still time. And at least from a business standpoint, Chisora’s popularity makes sense despite Fury being a favorite around 16½-1: The stadium is expected to be full on Saturday.
“I need to fight this year whoever it is,” Fury said. “I love fighting. I always need to fight. I wish I could fight every month of my life. So is Derek. We love to fight. So if we can fight 12 times next year, that would be great.”
Meanwhile, 38-year-old Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) understands he won the boxing lottery, with a reported sum of around $4.5 million (compared to Fury’s $25 million) ).
The Londoners lost to Usyk in a clear decision in 2020 and tit-for-tat decisions against former belt holder Joseph Parker in 2020 last year, although the following two matches were competitive. He recovered to beat Kubrat Pulev by a split decision this past July, a win that has kept his career alive.
Chisora lost to Fury in a decider in 2011 and was stopped by him after 10 rounds in 2014.
“I can’t sit here and try to be more aggressive with Tyson and try to say a lot of bad things because the man I’m looking at right now is giving me a chance when no one wants to give me a chance. at all,” said Chisora. .
“He called me and said to me, ‘I want to fight you. I want to give you a big payday.’ And I said, ‘Yes. Let’s make it happen.’ I can’t sit here and try to talk and say too many bad things about a man who is actually giving me food on the table for my kids.
Saying bad things is left to the fans who were hoping for a better match.
