By James Slater: As fans have possibly read by now, fast-talking, ultra-confident-sounding heavyweight contender Dereck “Del Boy” Chisora has predicted an 8th-round KO ahead of his fight with WBC heavyweight king Vitali Klitschko this Saturday night in Germany. The former British champ says his speed and unpredictability will be too much for 40-year-old Vitali to be able to cope with and that he will enjoy “a magic round-eight.”
I partially agree with the twice-beaten challenger, and I think Vitali will be given his toughest fight in a long, long time on Saturday. But will Chisora’s prediction come true? In a word: NO. I do see Chisora coming in and really giving it a go, letting both hands fly as he does his absolute best to get inside “Dr. Iron Fist’s” punishing left jab and do damage. His knees not what they were and Vitali’s work-rate more economical than in previous years, I can see the defending champ having to work hard to keep his challenger in his place. Vitali will get hit in this fight.
The big problem Chisora faces, however, is he won’t be able to hurt the rock-chinned giant. Chisora will be busy, doing his best to tire Klitschko out, but even his best shots will be unable to stun Vitali. And, as experienced as he is and as masterful as Vitali is at pacing himself in a fight, it could well be Chisora who tires first. Make no mistake, it will be the challenger who has to take all the risks in the fight. But Chisora, not your average heavyweight fighter by any means (eccentric, fearless, unpredictable, even a little crazy) WILL make the fight exciting by taking risks. This will be no safety-first survival job.
I predict that a few, maybe three or four, of the earlier rounds will be won by the sheer effort put on by Chisora. Fans can expect a high punch output by the Londoner, that’s for sure. It might not be pretty at times, but it sure will be fun to watch. But sooner or later – I think later, say round 9 or ten – an advancing “Del Boy” will walk onto something; either a crunching right hand or a left hook. His chin tested like never before and his entire being shocked to its core, a fatigued Chisora will crumple to the mat, unable to rise.
Chisora has predicted an 8th-round KO win – he may have the round right (or about right), but it will be he who falls. Afterwards, though, fans everywhere will be congratulating the challenger on a very game effort.
Prediction: a great, at times wild fight sees a gallant Chisora falling in the 9th-round.