Heavyweight boxing

DEREK CHISORA loves boxing — but claims anyone who says they are in the sport for that is full of s**t.The 38-year-old faces fellow Brit Tyson Fury for a third time in Saturday’s heavyweight showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora ahead of their trilogy fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Chisora’s brave defeats against Fury, Vitali Klitschko, David Haye and Dillian Whyte have made him a fans’ favourite.
The 18st reformed bad boy is now a dedicated daddy to two little girls in North London.
And he has earned the right to call out boxing as a dirty business after 45 hard fights.
Chisora said: “Let me explain one thing about boxing, and the boxing life, it is full of f***ing fakers.
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“F***ing full of f***ing fakers and f***ing idiots.
“I do whatever I want to do. I always say, everyone in boxing is in it for something.
“Nobody is in boxing for love and anyone who tells you they are in it for love is lying.
“Everyone is in it for a payday. It is not a team sport, that is bulls**t.
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“A team sport is Sunday league football, where you don’t get paid, you pay to play.
“Everyone wakes up hungover and goes and plays together. Boxing is full of s**t. Everyone tries to tell you that boxing is a team sport — but it is full of s**t people.”
Chisora shows no signs of quitting — even after 12 defeats.
The Zimbabwe-born brawler said: “My amateur debut was in an Essex leisure centre and everyone in there was puffing cigars and cigarettes, that’s how long ago it was.
“I was a big African kid who had only just moved to England and I was s**tting bricks.
“My legs were shaking but it was enjoyable. The politics now in the pro game changes it.
“Back then I was fighting for the pride of your club and a nice trophy. You used to walk in and see the trophies on a table next to the ring.
“The losers trophy would be s**t and the winners’ would be good.
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“I used to take the trophies home to my mother and she would be so proud and display them.
“These days it’s not trophies you take home, it’s just cheques. But I am still in love with boxing!”
Derek Chisora has lost to Tyson Fury twice beforeCredit: PA More

DANIEL DUBOIS’ opponent on the Tyson Fury vs Derek Chisora undercard, Kevin Lerena, was once shot by amputee murderer Oscar Pistorius in a restaurant.Lerena, 30, will hope to beat WBA (Regular) heavyweight champion Dubois on December 3.
Lerena was shot by Pistorius in a South African restaurant after the former track star let off a shotCredit: Getty
Pistorius shot dead his girlfriend Steenkamp at his home in 2013Credit: AP
The South African last fought in September, when he beat Mariusz Wach for the IBO Inter-Continental heavyweight belt.
Lerena is a former friend of six-time Olympic gold medalist and amputee murderer Oscar Pistorius, who shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in 2013.
But a month prior to the killing, Pistorius fired a gun in a crowded restaurant and then convinced a pal to take the rap.
Pistorius and two other friends, including Lerena, were in the swanky Melrose Arch area of Johannesburg in January 2013.
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One friend, Darren Fresco, passed his gun to Pistorius under the table and told him that there was a bullet in the chamber – a shot followed.
But the bullet blasted a hole in the marble floor and left Lerena’s toe bleeding.
Lerena, who was 22 at the time, told the court in 2014 how Pistorius got his friend to take the rap: “Oscar said to Darren, ‘just say it was you. I don’t want any tension around me.
“‘Just say it was you. Please take the blame for me. There’s too much media hype around me’.
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“And Darren took the blame for him.”
Boxing ace Lerena has lost just one of his 29 professional fights, which means he won’t be an easy opponent for Dubois.
The loss came all the way back in 2014 – the year he spoke in the trial – against Johnny Muller. More

EDDIE HEARN said Anthony Joshua is ready to rematch Dillian Whyte next year after a ringside scouting mission. AJ lost to his heavyweight rival in their 2009 amateur barnburner but won the rematch six years later in the pros.
Dillian Whyte is in line to rematch Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA
Anthony Joshua pictured with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
And Joshua sat and watched with a keen eye at Wembley Arena as Whyte just edged out Jermaine Franklin by disputed majority decision.
Hearn is ready to pit the pair together next year in either the first quarter of 2023 or in the summer for AJ.
He told Matchroom Boxing: “His next date is fast approaching and he’s looking at those guys throughout the whole fight, thinking, ‘Whoever gets this, I want the winner.’
“Dillian Whyte got the nod. Whether that’s in March or whether that’s in June or July, I feel pretty confident that fight will take place.
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“He’s ready to go. He’s is licking his lips. He’s ready to get back into camp and looking forward to his return.”
Joshua, 33, took a break from boxing following consecutive losses on points to Oleksandr Usyk, 35.
Hearn teased that the winner between Whyte, 34, and Franklin, 29, would likely welcome AJ back to the ring next year.
The promoter warned Joshua could have one comeback fight before a summer rematch or go straight into it.
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But one thing is for sure, it would see him head back for Wembley Stadium to fight Whyte, the man he knocked out in 2015.
He said: “Every AJ fight is a stadium fight, particularly against Dillian Whyte.
“He’s looking for a big year, three fights and that would be a great all-British blockbuster.”
Anthony Joshua beat Dillian Whyte in 2015Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

JOHN FURY fears his boy Tommy will NEVER fight Jake Paul – like has been the case with his other son Tyson and Anthony Joshua. Tommy has twice withdrawn from facing Paul in the past, due to a rib injury last December and US visa issue in August.
John Fury pictured with his son TommyCredit: Rex
Jake Paul is in talks to fight Tommy Fury in 2023Credit: EPA
The pair of celebrity boxing rivals are now in talks to reschedule once more for early next year but John doubts a deal will ever be reached.
He told FreeBets: “I see this Tommy and Jake thing being like Tyson and AJ. Never going to happen.
“There’s been a lot of talk, a lot of hype and it’s never happened. I think this is heading in the same way.
“I’m sick of it now, I’m not going to chase it anymore, If they’re not prepared to pay Tommy what he’s worth.
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“They want it all. They want the lions share and more of the lions share than they think.
“We’re not going to box for less than Tommy’s worth, so I can’t see the fight happening.
“It’s going to be one of them: the fight that never happens.”
Paul, 25, most recently beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, in October, the biggest win in his 6-0 career.
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Meanwhile Tommy, 23, returned this month in a last-minute exhibition bout against replacement Rolly Lambert, 33.
Paul Bamba, 33, was withdrawn on the day due to a weight disagreement and Paul was a special guest commentator on the night.
After Tommy cruised past six rounds, the two clashed on the ring apron and agreed to fight in 2023.
Both camps have confirmed negotiations are underway but John claimed they are being lowballed.
He said: “Like AJ and Tyson, it’s unfortunate, but we want what we’re worth.

“We’re not making up numbers, the Fury’s are the biggest name in boxing. Jake Paul thinks that he’s A side, but I’m telling you he’s not.
“The Fury’s are the A side because when you get into the ring boxing, whatever type of combat sport it is with gloves on, that’s our field of expertise.
“That’s what we do and that’s what Tommy does.  Jake Paul’s made his living through YouTube filming mad events. We’re fighters.
“If the fight isn’t on at least a level playing field with us, the fight will never happen, it’s that simple.
“I’m sick of hearing Jake Paul’s name, if I never heard it again that would suit me.”
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Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are still linked with a grudge matchCredit: BT SPORT More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is eyeing a 2023 fight with Tyson Fury once his great rival completes a trilogy with old pal Derek Chisora. AJ was initially offered a shock December 3 title shot, which led to some wishful talks between the opposing camps.
Anthony Joshua pictured with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: PA
Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora ahead of their trilogy fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Alas, no deal was struck and Chisora instead received the right to welcome Fury back to the ring this Saturday, despite his two prior losses.
Joshua currently manages the British heavyweight veteran but still holds out hope of finally fighting the 34-year-old Gypsy King.
He told iD Boxing: “Well, on my behalf, I would like the opportunity. Because the longer we leave it, it’s not good for anyone.
“So, yeah, I would like the opportunity. Good luck with his next fight if he comes through.
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“Then I think he’s going to go onto undisputed, and then I’ll be fighting somebody else.
“Then hopefully, we both come victorious, and then we look to fight each other.”
Chisora, 38, proved an unpopular choice for Fury’s return, due to the one-sided nature of his 2011 and 2014 beatings.
But the two-time champion had little other pay-per-view worthy options as Oleksandr Usyk, 35, ruled himself out of a unification until 2023.

Fury vs Chisora 3: Date, live stream and TV info for huge heavyweight bout
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Joshua, 33, could be in attendance for Chisora’s shot at glory at Tottenham, should he postpone a Stateside training trip.
But he is backing his Finchley Amateur Boxing team-mate all the way.
He said: “It’s not like a little task. It’s not just another day in the office. It’s is the heavyweight championship of the world, so I wish him well.
“You’ve got Tyson Fury defending his heavyweight championship of the world.
“People may think Tyson Fury is the No1 heavyweight, and it might be easy for him, but he has to take it very seriously because this is history.
“He’s defending one of the most prestigious belts in heavyweight history, and I wish them both well.”
Anthony Joshua has signed Dereck Chisora to his management stableCredit: Getty More

DEONTAY WILDER is ready to leave behind a world title eliminator to instead fight Anthony Joshua next. The American has been ordered to face Andy Ruiz Jr by the WBC, with the winner challenging for Tyson Fury’s belt.
Deontay Wilder is ready to leave behind a world title eliminator to instead fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Andy Ruiz Jr has been ordered by the WBC to fight Deontay WilderCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Anthony Joshua has been offered a fight by Deontay Wilder’s teamCredit: Getty
Both are promoted by Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions stable and talks between the pair are underway.
But Wilder’s Hall of Fame manager Shelly Finkel CONFIRMED they will favour a fight with Joshua, 33, right away over Ruiz, also 33.
Finkel told SunSport: “There are conversations with Ruiz, but that is not an impediment if Joshua will fight us next.” 
Joshua is coming off consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 35, and looks set to return in early 2023.
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Meanwhile Wilder, 37, knocked out Robert Helenius, 38, in round one of his comeback fight in October.
Finkel is ready to come to the table with AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn to strike a deal for as soon a February and will even conceded home advantage.
He said: “Either February, March or April, whenever they want. I don’t know why Joshua can’t be ready in February, which is three months away. 
“Joshua hasn’t had any fights in months, Deontay is ready, we’ll fight him in the UK or in the Middle East. Period.” 
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In the past, TV network and promotional allegiances have seen the heavyweight clash between Wilder and Joshua fall by the wayside.
But Finkel insisted all parties – from their side at least – are ready and willing to come to terms with the opposition.
He said: “Deontay, Shelly Finkel and PBC are willing to make a fight for Deontay to fight Joshua next.” 
After Dillian Whyte, 34, beat Jermaine Franklin, 29, by disputed majority decision, Hearn lined Joshua up for a rematch against the man he beat in 2015.
And the promoter then had eyes on a summer super-fight between AJ and Wilder.
Deontay, Shelly Finkel and PBC are willing to make a fight for Deontay to fight Joshua next.Deontay Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel
But Finkel questions why the pair of former world champions cannot go straight into the long-anticipated bout.
Or he suggests if Joshua is to have one more more before facing Willder, an agreement to make the fight afterwards can be struck right now.
Finkel said: “Eddie says Joshua will fight Deontay after their next fight, why? 
“They want to fight Dillian Whyte, who yesterday was in a questionable win.
“The fight before that, he got knocked out, and two fights before that he got knocked out. 
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“How does the press and anyone else rationalise Joshua fighting someone like that in his next fight? 
“And if they say, ‘We’re definitely fighting Deontay after’ why isn’t there an agreement done?” 
Shelly Finkel with Deontay Wilder in 2018Credit: AFP or licensors
Anthony Joshua pictured with Shelly Finkel in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty More