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LONDON. — Dereck Chisora plans to mark the 40th anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle by setting up his own audacious shot at the world heavyweight crown in the city of Kinshasa.
October 30 will bring up 40 years since Muhammad Ali shocked the world by defeating George Foreman at the 20th May Stadium in Zaire, in what was boxing’s most iconic fight and arguably the biggest sporting event in history.
Now Chisora wants to take boxing back to the African state, known today as Democratic Republic of the Congo, by securing a mandatory status to the heavyweight belt over the next six months.
The Zimbabwe-born 30-year-old, now based in Finchley, also revealed he already has the finances to win any purse bids and stage the clash in his home continent.
He said: ‘I could have three fights this year and the third could be for a world title. We don’t want the champion to pick up the phone, call us and ask ‘do you want the fight?’
“We want to be mandatory so we can then take it to purse bids. Then when we take it to purse bids I will tell you exactly, right now, we will take the fight to Africa, 100 percent.
“We will go back to Zaire for the Rumble, 40 years on. If we can squeeze it for October, we’ll do it in Zaire, 100 per cent.
“Purse bids is the key. If it goes to that, I can guarantee that I will make three phone calls and we will have the fight in Zaire (SIC).
“When I was in South Africa, I spoke to somebody about it. He said: ‘Listen, if you get mandatory, don’t worry about the money. We will deliver all the money’.”
But any world title shot now depends on Chisora winning his next two fights, starting at the Copper Box Arena in London on February 15, where he will defend his European title against unbeaten Ukrainian Andriy Rudenko.
Victory will lift him higher in the world rankings and also set up a mouth-watering all-British fight against Tyson Fury, which has been earmarked for June by his promoter Frank Warren.
The rematch with Fury, who beat him via a unanimous decision back in 2011, looked a foregone conclusion after Warren claimed he had signed a “lengthy promotional agreement” with the unbeaten 25-year-old.
Warren said: “I met with Peter Fury and Tyson and agreed terms. His promoter Mick Hennessey is now involved. I don’t know what the deal is between them — that’s their business.
“All I know is that we’ve agreed it. And we will do a joint venture in the summer between Tyson and ourselves, if Tyson and Dereck both come through their February fights.
“I sat down with Peter Fury, who was a very nice guy, very sensible. Then I met with Tyson, shook hands and done the deal.” But Peter Fury has since tweeted: “Our Promotor (sic) is still Mick Hennessy!! We are currently awaiting the contract in a co-promotion with Boxnation (Warren’s channel). Only then the deal is Done!!”
Despite the lack of clarity, a summer showdown between Chisora and Fury seems likely, and the fight could be regarded as a final eliminator for the world title by one or more of the governing bodies.
The winner of that would then become a mandatory challenger, which would enable Chisora to realise his dream of fighting in Africa.
But he added: “February 15 is my date, then we can start hyping up about the fight with Tyson. If we win that and become mandatory, Africa is the aim.” — Mailonline.
Online Reporter