Dillian Whyte knows the life-changing prize at stake if he can ensure it is repeat – not revenge – against Dereck Chisora

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Rarely can the stakes have been higher for Dillian Whyte ahead of tomorrow’s rematch with Dereck Chisora at Greenwich’s 02 Arena.

The Brixton man knows that a 25th career victory is likely to set up an April shot at Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium.

To put that in to context, Whyte would earn more for a second bout with Joshua than what he banked combined from his previous three bouts.

But instead of sitting back and waiting for another chance to test himself against Joshua, who holds four of the world titles at heavyweight, he is resuming hostilities with Chisora.

Styles make fights, and the pair went toe-to-toe in Manchester just over two years ago with Whyte winning a split decision. This one should be every bit as crowd-pleasing.

But the bookies, never ones to misjudge things too much, don’t see it as being that close this time.

Whyte, 30, is a clear favourite. That reflects the fact he has since outpointed Robert Helenius –  the big Swede in reverse gear all night – then a brutal KO of Lucas Browne before outpointing Joseph Parker last time out in July.

Chisora, 34, is an unpredictable talent. His career looked over at the top level after he dropped a majority decision to Agit Kabayel in Monte Carlo at the end of 2017.

But the Finchley man set up this weekend’s clash with a textbook KO of Carlos Takam on the Whyte-Parker undercard.

Chisora was way behind on the scorecards but a right hook high on the temple dropped Takam. Although he got up he then walked on to a short right and it was goodnight.

Whyte has stayed active as he waits for the really big fights but Deontay Wilder, who he has tried to goad in to a meeting, is likely to rematch Tyson Fury. If not, the American would surely only opt against that if painful negotiations with Joshua finally paid off.

If Joshua-Wilder happens then Whyte will be frozen out. He has no intention of taking on a watching brief for months on end.

Whyte claims he offered Chisora a spot on his last fight night with the intention of lining up him as a valid opponent.

Whyte said: “Boxing is about a plan – and he is part of the gameplan. I knew that certain fights weren’t going to happen and a world title shot wasn’t going to come. I chucked him a bone and he did exactly what I wanted him to do.
“He got the win [against Takam]. I’m a warrior by nature and so is he. We went out there and had it and I think the same thing will happen this time – but somebody is going to get knocked out.

“It was a tough fight, it was my second 12-rounder. He had done lots of them. To go in and do 12 rounds is about believing in your physical and mental condition. I’ve done it now, I know what it feels like. I know I can finish fights strongly – I can come out of the blocks a bit faster and do things I was unsure about the first time around.

“I didn’t underestimate him. When I was a nobody in boxing I got in and sparred with him. He was British champion and fighting [Tyson] Fury and all those guys. I was a street thug.

“Of course I expect it to be tough. He is a veteran and he’s at that stage of his career where every fight is the last-chance saloon.”

But Chisora also reckons that he is  a different proposition to when the two Londoners last locked horns.

And he still believes he did enough to get the verdict last time around.

There was plenty of bad blood then – Chisora throwing a table towards Whyte at a press conference. And the pair had to be pulled apart by security when they filmed Sky Sports’ The Gloves Are Off programme.

It has been a lot more sedate in the build-up to this one.

Chisora said: “That last fight was hard, I’m not going to lie to you.

“I thought I was fit – nah [he wasn’t]. We’re going to unleash armageddon.

“Certain things in my life changed when I lost the fight in Monaco. He [Whyte] sent me a message which was kind of an insult.

“It said ‘you lost but don’t worry – I’ll put you on the undercard of my next fight’. I sent a little private DM [direct message] back ‘why not?’ but knowing in my head that things are already changing.

“I’m born again, I have given myself to God – stopped drinking and stopped a lot of things. I knew exactly where the track was going – I’m at the bottom of the food chain and now he’s at the top.

“What he doesn’t understand is that I’m hunting him already, by him bringing me back up.”

Chisora has another change – in terms of a high-profile manager. David Haye has come on to his team.

Whyte has replaced Bermondsey’s former two-weight world champion as South London’s top fighter.

Haye retired after losing a second fight against Tony Bellew in May.

But Whyte dismisses any notion that  his fellow South Londoner adds a different dimension to this weekend.

“That means nothing,” he said. “He was a good fighter. He went up to heavyweight and plotted his way through the division. He picked a few half-decent guys off and then sold his WBA title to Wladimir Klitschko.

David is a very good salesman – he knows  how to talk. He is pushing the hell out of this fight, which is great for me.

“I hope David does get him in shape and give him that extra 10 per cent – he is going to need it. He [Chisora] fought a 27-year-old Dillian Whyte, very inexperienced. I had doubts when it came to going the distance. Now I’m a different person.”

Haye said: “Dillian rose to the occasion last time out. They both came out of that fight two years ago with enhanced credibility, in terms of heart, dedication and will-to-win.

“Dillian Whyte has been ticking all the boxes since in the ring – Dereck hasn’t. Dereck went to Monaco and underperformed. A lot of people wrote him off but he didn’t write himself off.

This is his chance to prove he is a world-class performer against someone who is very tough, strong and determined – his left hook is one of the best in the game.

“It’s just such a beautiful mesh of styles. I’d say Dillian Whyte is the superior long-range boxer. If it comes down to a jabbing match you’d have to go with him. But if we engage in close and it’s a slugfest, then I’m backing my boy Dereck to bring the war.

“That is where I believe that he thrives – in the heat of the battle.”