By John F. McKenna (McJack)
Zimbabwe born British heavyweight Dereck Chisora (15-2, 10 KO’s) will have the opportunity of a lifetime when he faces WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (43-2, 40 KO’s) on February 18, 2012. The surprise announcement was made yesterday that Vitali will put his WBC title on the line by facing Chisora instead of his anticipated match up with former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-2, 23 KO’s).
“Del Boy” as his fans call Chisora lost a highly controversial decision to Finland’s Robert Helenius (17-0, 11 KO’s) on December 3 in Helinski. Most boxing observers felt that Chisora clearly deserved the decision against Helenius, calling it the worst decision they had ever seen in boxing. Many boxing fans were only able to give Helenius 3 of the12 rounds in the fight.
Apparently “Dr. Ironfist” also thought that Chisora won the fight and rewarded him with a title shot. Chisora had been scheduled to fight WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko twice in the past, but the first fight was postponed when Vladimir suffered an abdominal injury in December 2010. The fight was rescheduled for April 2011, but that fight also fell through when Vladimir cancelled out to fight David Haye last July.
Chisora was given the opportunity because Vitali thought he deserved the decision against Helenius. American trainer Freddie Roach who covered the Chisora – Helenius fight as a commentator also thought that Chisora clearly won the fight, as did British promoter Frank Warren.
It had been thought that an announcement would be forthcoming for a fight between Vitali and Haye in March. However, Wladmir’s surgery due to kidney stones caused a postponement in the fight he was scheduled for on December 10 against Jean-Marc Mormeck. That fight was rescheduled for March 3, the same date that had been discussed as a possible date for the fight between Vitali and Haye.
The fight in February between Vitali Klitschko and Dereck Chisora leaves an opening next June or July for a showdown between Vitali Klitschko and Davie Haye probably in an outdoor stadium. Davie Haye for his part is not worried about the Chisora fight pre empting his plans to fight Vitali. Haye continues to say that discussions are ongoing between the Haye and Klitschko camps.
More than likely the delay will give promoters a chance to hype the eventual showdown between David Haye and Vitali Klitschko.
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