Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE-BORN British heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora and American Deontay Wilder wrapped up to launch their red-hot rivalry in New York’s frozen Times Square on Monday
The heavyweight pair clash on April 4 at London’s O2. But — after they both attended the Saturday night WBO super-lightweight world title bout Shakur Stevenson won over Teofimo Lopez — they stayed in the Big Apple to flog their own show.
Wilder, 40, draped the Stars and Stripes over his narrow shoulders to stave off the plunging temperatures.
And Britain’s 41-year-old warhorse Chisora wrapped up in matching Union Jack flags and balaclavas.
The pair were separated by a handful of NYPD officers.
But, having spent the previous week together working on the latest Saudi Arabia-backed spectacle, there was no drama to be drummed up on Broadway.
The pair will face-off as well in London Bridge — where things might heat up as they build up to Chisora’s 50th — and allegedly last — bout of a rollercoaster career. Wilder was trying to face Oleksandr Usyk, 39, following repeated call-outs from the undefeated unified king. But as talks stalled amid a struggle to find financing for the bout — Wilder turned his attention to Chisora — who was searching for a farewell fight.
The deal was wrapped up and will air on DAZN — promoted by Frank Warren — after Chisora failed to sneak out of his contract to sign with Sky Sports.
Wilder has lost four of his last six, including two on the spin in Saudi Arabia against Joseph Parker, 33, and Zhilei Zhang, 42. But he did return with a low-profile win in Kansas against little-known Tyrrell Herndon in June.
Chisora, meanwhile, has won his last three on the spin — and refuses to let Wilder’s recent fragility protect him from a pasting.
He said: “I am over the moon. It will be amazing.
“He’s gone through a lot but it seems like he has found peace now and lost whatever that anger was. But I will still f*** him up.” Wilder added: “The process with Usyk was taking too long, too much time was passing so we turned to Chisora.
“His 50th fight will be a great one. Derek is a good guy. Derek is unpredictable and so am I, so the fans are set for a great time.”
Meanwhile, Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith believes his friend Chisora will beat Wilder on April 4 – but he’s been begging the Brit to retire for nine years!
Del Boy and the Bronze Bomber will clash in both of their 50th fights at the O2 Arena.
Remarkably, the winner of this heavyweight showdown will likely find himself in line to face unified heavyweight champion, Usyk.
Speaking to SunSport after Josh Kelly won the IBF super welterweight title in Newcastle, Smith opened up on the contest and gave his backing to the Brit.
He said: “I love that fight. I’m so happy for Del.
“Del is more of a mate to me outside of boxing. I don’t really care about boxing with him if that makes sense?
“I spent New Year’s Day with him, my kids and my family and everyone. So he’s more of a friend beyond it.
“I believe he beats Wilder. The only problem is, he’ll then say he wants to continue and I’ve been saying on a personal level away from boxing he needs to retire for years because, what more do you want from it?
“But, 50th fight at the O2 Arena, it’s going to be sold out, live on DAZN.
“I’m buzzing for him. I’m happy for it. It’s going to be a big win. World title fight after that — who would have thought that?!
“I told him to quit in Monaco after he lost to Agit Kabayal!”
That Kabayal defeat came in 2017 and he’s had 14 contests since, including challenging Tyson Fury for a world title at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. — thesun.co.uk
