Dereck "Del Boy" Chisora (18-4, 12 KO) is continuing his attempt to rise up the heavyweight ranks for another shot at a world title.
After a stretch from 2011-12 where he lost four of five fights, Chisora has since won three straight bouts. On Saturday, the 29-year-old Englishman, by way of Zimbabwe, will take on Ondrej Pala at the Copper Box Arena in London.
Pickings are slim these days when it comes to legitimate heavyweights. Consequently, a fighter like Chisora, who has really never accomplished anything of note in the ring, remains one of the division's most popular fighters. Del Boy does have power and some skills, but has failed in every major test he's ever had.
Pala is not expected to be an especially difficult foe, but this is boxing and anything can happen. Here's how you can watch Chisora take on Pala.
When: Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2:30 p.m. ET
Where: Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, London
TV: Box Nation via Sky and Virgin in the UK
Live Stream: Livesport.TV (Region Restrictions Apply)
Waiting the Klitschkos Out
Chisora has one huge advantage over both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko—his age. At 29 years old, he figures to still be active much longer than the Klitschko brothers who are 37 and 42, respectively. After being thoroughly dominated by Vitali in Feb. 2012, it was clear that Chisora's best shot at a world title would come in the post-Klitschko era.
His current efforts simply consist of smashing through rudimentary opposition while fighters with higher potential—like Deontay Wilder—eye their chance to ultimately unseat one of the Ukrainian brothers.
Looking to Punch His Way out of Obscurity
No one, aside from boxing savants or hardcore Czechoslovakian boxing fans, know about Pala. I happen to belong to the former group, so I've seen him fight. It was not an impressive outing. He was stopped in the ninth round by Konstantin Airich in March 2012.
Perhaps fighting on the biggest stage of his career can inspire something special in him, but expectations are not high.
Prediction
Pala wasn't in the best shape against Ainrich. He held his head way too high and had only moderately fast hands. Ainrich isn't nearly as skilled or compact with his punches as Chisora, and Pala's demeanor in the ring was, let's say, non-competitive.
Expect Chisora to come out fast in an attempt to make this a quick night. I'd be shocked if the fight goes longer than three rounds. Pala is way out of his league in this one and the fact that he is even in the ring here is an example of how low the heavyweight division has sunk.
Chisora will win by a third-round TKO.
Follow me for news and musings on The Sweet Science.
Read more Boxing news on BleacherReport.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment