By Marcus Richardson: British challenger Dereck Chisora (15-2, 9 KO’s) has the odds really stacked against him in his first and possibly his last world title shot against WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (43-2, 40 KO’s) on February 18th in Munich, Germany.
Chisora, 6’1 ½” 243lbs, isn’t very tall; isn’t very quick; isn’t a huge puncher; and isn’t a good outside fighter. Chisora’s entire game is limited to fighting on the inside against heavyweights that will allow him to do this. Most of his opponents don’t have the footwork or the power to dissuade Chisora from coming on the inside to work.
6’9” Tyson Fury was the exception. He used his footwork, his jab and constant punches to keep Chambers stuck on the outside where he was as helpless a kitten. Chisora didn’t help himself by coming into the fight 20 pounds overweight. But still, the way that Fury looked in that fight, it wouldn’t have mattered one big what kind of shape that Chisora came in. He will would have lost and lost badly.
Chisora’s problem with Vitali is that the Ukrainian likes to move around the ring like Fury, and he doesn’t allow his opponents to work on the inside against him. Vitali backs away when guys come at him, and he’s got such good power that he’ll stop you dead in your tracks and literally prevent you from coming at him. Chisora will have to take some really big shots in order for him to work his way to the inside.
I’m sure he’ll be able to do that some of the time but he’ll be paying the price each time that happens. It’s going to eventually hurt him to the point where he’ll either get knocked out cold or he’ll get cut up. He may eve back off and try to survive against Vitali. The inside attack isn’t going to be happening for Chisora on February 18th, because Vitali won’t be allowing him to stand there and work.
Chisora was fortunate in his last fight against Robert Helenius that he was allowed to get in close and work the tall 6’6 ½” heavyweight, but that was a limited fighter with zero ability to move around right and not enough power to keep Chisora off of him. Vitali will be able to move and if Chisora does get inside on Vitali, he’ll be put in a clinch or hit with uppercuts. It’s just not going to be an easy night for Chisora.