During the launch press conference for his rematch against Kubrat Pulev next month Dereck Chisora (32-12, 23 KOs) made no bones about what he offers boxing fans these days.
The 38-year-old has reinvented himself over the years from controversial figure to public hero particularly since his fights against Dillian Whyte, Carlos Takam, Artur Szpilka, Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker.
‘Del Boy’ to ‘War’ he continues to be main event material in the eyes of promoter Eddie Hearn and will be top of the bill on July 9 at London’s O2 Arena. His seventh fight at the venue in five years and message was simple:
“For me, my plan is my fans – that is it. Entertainment. Do you understand? That’s what I like.”
“I’ve lost so many fights; I’ve won a couple of fights. I’ve won things that I wanted to win. I prefer fighting. I wake up every morning and I go training.”
“I’ve still got the hunger for it. I get these younger guys into the gym to spar me. I see in their eyes the fear they have by the time they get to rounds three or four. I’m still hungry and I still want to fight. I still want to cause damage to people, and I still want to entertain.”
Chisora, like Pulev, is a former world title challenger but the Bulgarian’s second crack came against Anthony Joshua in December 2020. The 41-year-old put up a game effort but was knocked out in the ninth round by the then champion.
The fight took place during the pandemic in front of a thousand people and Chisora criticised Pulev for his excuses after the loss.
“No disrespect to the big man (Pulev), he waited a couple of years before fighting for the world title and when he fought for the world title he was coming out with excuses – ‘I had COVID, and I didn’t spar well’. That’s a load of bullshit to be honest with you.”
“I want it more. I don’t have to be liked by everyone. I know what I’ve got, and I sell a product to people who want to have that product. And that product is war. I train hard. I’ve got passion for the game.”
“Come July 9th it’s going to be round 13 basically where we left off. Yes, he had a fight a couple of weeks ago (against Jerry Forrest), but he boxed a nobody who hasn’t got any of my skills. I’m going to eat his leather and I’m going to deliver my leather.”