DEREK Chisora will square up with Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin on Saturday at the Co-op Arena in Manchester, as the veteran looks to put on a show in his ‘last dance’.
‘Del Boy’ has never been a man to take easy fights, having fought a roster of title holders and challengers: Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker, to name but a few.
It is fair to say that the time for Chisora, 35-13 (23 KOs), to contest these bouts has passed, leaving fans divided on his decision to prolong his career with little left to prove.
But the 41-year-old showed in a unanimous decision victory over Joe Joyce,16-3 (15 KOs), that he can still pose issues for top-level heavyweight fighters.
The O2 Arena fight last July saw caution thrown to the wind as the powerhouses exchanged blows, with Chisora landing a handful of his trademark overhand rights, riding out a storm to claim a victory befitting of a man nicknamed ‘The War’.
But Wallin, 27-2 (15 KOs), is a very different challenge, a tricky southpaw who will do all in his power to avoid being dragged into a similar dogfight.
Chisora has the clear power advantage and the ability to end a fight in a flash, but he will need to assert himself from the first bell and avoid the rounds dragging because that’s when Wallin will seize the advantage.
The Swede is coming off the back of a stoppage victory over Onoriode Ehwarieme back in July, but his previous defeat to Anthony Joshua has raised doubts over whether the 34-year-old can climb any higher in the sport.
The stakes may seem low from an outsider’s perspective, but both men will be desperate to put on a show.
Chisora will be keen either to go out with a bang or set up a climactic 50th fight, while Wallin is looking to salvage his fighting credentials in the division.
Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin | Industry Predictions on the Boxing News YouTube channel
Derek Chisora on Wallin test: “I have worries because he’s a very tall guy with a good jab and likes to move around the ring a lot, but that makes me more fearful of him when I’m training, so I’m excited.”
On emotions come fight night: “(I’ll be) very emotional, did I say before I cried when Niko showed me the poster. It’s the last dance and it’s very emotional for me.”
Otto Wallin on Chisora’s style and Joshua fight: “I like fighting that style but he’s a tough guy so I have to be aware at all times.
“I think a lot of people underestimate me because I lost to Joshua and it’s a good fight to prove that I belong at the top”
