By Ian S Palmer
Dereck Chisora vs Dillian Whyte Preview December 10th
There’s a big domestic British heavyweight clash scheduled for the Manchester Arena on Saturday, December 10th when Dereck Chisora takes on Dillian Whyte. The 12-round bout for Whyte’s British Heavyweight Title can be seen live in the UK on Sky Box Office. Chisora, who was born in Zimbabwe but fights out of England, last fought on September 10th when he stopped Drazan Janjanin in the second round. Whyte’s last outing came back on October 10th when he stopped Ian Lewison after 10 rounds for the vacant British crown.
The 32-year-old year-old Chisora, who fights out of England, climbs up the ring steps with a mark of 26-6 along with 18 Kos to his name. He’s been beaten twice on points by Tyson Fury and his other four losses came via a fifth-round TKO to David Haye in 2012, a unanimous decision loss to world champ Vitali Klitschko just five months earlier and a 12-round split decision defeat to Robert Helenius three months before that, meaning he went through a streak of three straight defeats. He was also beaten by Kubrat Pulev by a 12-round split decision back in May. Chisora stands just over 6-foot-1 and has a 74-inch wingspan.
He may be a little more skilled than people give him credit for as he can throw decent combinations when he’s in a rhythm, but often leaves himself exposed to counter shots. Chisora’s defeated the likes of Malik Scott and Kevin Johnson, but has been beaten when stepping up in class. He’s fought 190 rounds since turning pro in 2007 and owns a 56 per cent knockout ratio. Whyte should use his height and reach advantages while Chisora will try to bob and weave his way to the inside without getting hit on the way in. Chisora doesn’t mind turning his fights into brawls, but also needs to utilize some basic boxing skills, such as his jab, if he’s going to be successful against Whyte. He really has no choice but to get inside and go the body as well as the head.
The 28-year-old Whyte, who was born in Jamaica, enters the ring with a record of 19-1 with 15 Kos. He’s got a lot of power in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 75 per cent. He has a three-inch height advantage at 6-foot-4 and four inches in reach at 78 inches. He’s boxed 77 rounds since turning pro in 2011. Whyte’s biggest win was a third-round TKO over Brian Minto in September of 2015. His lone loss came against Anthony Joshua by seventh-round stoppage last December. He also fought Joshua as an amateur in 2009 and dropped him along the way.
Prediction…
Neither boxer is really an elite heavyweight at this stage of their careers, but this is a big bout in the UK and both should be motivated. Whyte seems to have the edge in power while Chisora is more experienced. They each have enough talent to overcome fighters of the same caliber and have both been stopped, but have relatively good chins. The younger Whyte should take this contest though, probably by a stoppage in the second half.
