DERECK CHISORA wants his heavyweight showdown with Dillian Whyte to be taken out of the judgesโ hands after declaring war on his London rival.
The pair stage a rematch of their memorable clash in Manchester two years ago that saw Whyte awarded a split decision, although both fighters emerged from the evening with enhanced reputations.
While the build-up to Saturdayโs eagerly-awaited collision at The O2 has so far lacked the acrimony of 2016, โThe Brawl To Settle It Allโ took on a more hostile tone during Wednesdayโs public workout in Canary Wharf.
Saturday night, Iโm going to find this guy, hunt him down and beat him up! Itโs WAR . #WarChisora #3Days pic.twitter.com/t6KwXQCXGs
โ Derek Chisora (@DerekWarChisora) December 19, 2018
Chisora, the 34-year-old former world-title challenger now managed by David Haye, used a mouthpiece inscribed with the world โwarโ before outlining his approach to avenging his defeat in their first fight.
โWe donโt want to use judges, he has to get knocked out. We have to knock him out, we are coming there with a knockout mentality,โ Chisora said.
โNo points, nothing. Weโre not going to come to box, weโre coming to fight. How I feel right now is war, war, war.
โWeโve trained hard for this fight. Thereโs only one way weโre going to go for this fight. Weโre going to war โ right from the get-go.
This one is for the fans. @DerekWarChisora is going to pound @DillianWhyte down and stop him. Saturday 22nd December #whytechisora2 is live on @SkySports Box Office https://t.co/PcP3JvJn3b pic.twitter.com/fbvMtMsu9x
โ Hayemaker Boxing (@HayemakerBoxing) December 19, 2018
โStart pounding him down. Iโm going to pound him and pound him and pound him. He canโt hurt me because he doesnโt have a powerful shot that bothers me.โ
Pointing to each biceps in turn, Chisora added: โThe fans can expect war. This is Hallelujah and this is Amen.โ
The prize at stake is a possible fight with Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on April 13, although reports suggest the IBF, WBA and WBO champion may now instead look to make his American debut on the same date.
The only stain on Whyteโs 25-fight record is the 2015 clash with Joshua that ended in a seventh-round knockout, the result failing to detract from an impressive performance from the south Londoner.
Since then he has reeled off eight straight wins, including a decision against Joseph Parker and victory over Chisora in their first contest.
โIโve changed a lot. One thing Iโve been over the last two years is consistent,โ Whyte said.
โThatโs the main thing, Iโve been consistent. Iโve had hard fights, boring fights and exciting fights, but been consistent.
โThe first time I fought Chisora was the second ever that was ever scheduled for 12 and the one before that got stopped.
โBut now Iโve been there, Iโve done it, Iโm experienced in the rounds, showing different things in different rounds.
โIn my last fight I got put down in the 12th round and I got up and did what I had to do to win.
โUsually I get hurt in fights and just carry on scrapping but the experience, maturity and consistency has improved so much.”
Responding to Chisoraโs vow to pound him, Whyte added: โWhat can I say? Good luck to him in his hunt and his pound.
โDereck says a lot of things and he does a lot of things. But itโs good that heโs coming to hunt me down and heโs coming to pound me and whatever.โ