Underdog Derek Chisora says he doesn’t care what the critics think as he tries to upset Tyson Fury and win the WBC heavyweight title on Saturday.
Chisora has lost 12 times in 45 fights, including three of his last four, and has already been beaten twice by Fury.
“I don’t care what is said. That I give up, just because a newspaper says so, I can’t do that,” he said.
“It’s going to be the best first round of the heavyweight game ever, you’re going to love the whole show.”
Earlier this week, Fury and Chisora vowed to stand in the middle of the ring in the first round at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and battle it out for the first three minutes.
Chisora, 38, fought for the WBC belt 10 years ago, losing on points to Vitali Klitschko, and revealed Fury was the main architect of that fight.
“He phoned me and put food on my kids’ table,” he added.
“He gave me an opportunity when Frank Warren wouldn’t give me an opportunity, Bob Arum wouldn’t give me an opportunity and my former promoter Eddie Hearn wouldn’t give me an opportunity.
“All these guys in the game don’t want me on this stage. But friendship will be at the door and this big man will get it. I won’t hold back, I’m going to war.
“I want to take what’s his and make it mine.”
“It’s my hobby and what I like to do”
Fury, who announced he would be retiring from boxing in April only to return a few months later, said: “I’m in a really good position with boxing right now. I’m back, I’m hungry, I put the work in, I grind.
“I’ve been in love with boxing for so long since I was a little boy and I’m 34 now, probably at the end of my career in the next few years. It was a love-hate relationship and it got toxic at times, but when it’s good, it’s very good.
“I’ve often wanted to leave, but it always takes me back. It’s like a massive drug and addiction.
“Boxing is more addictive than any drug because you can’t live without it.
“It’s a hobby now rather than a business or a sport. It’s my hobby and what I love to do.”
Dubois aims for another quick night
While Fury’s fight against Chisora is the main event, there’s also another British heavyweight in action for chief support as Daniel Dubois defends his WBA (regular) title against the 30-year-old South African. years Kevin Lerena.
Dubois, 25, suffered the only loss of his career in a 10th round knockout to fellow Briton Joe Joyce in November 2020 after sustaining a fractured eye socket, before winning all three of his fights following.
Last time out, he beat previously undefeated American Trevor Bryan in Miami to pick up the WBA (regular) belt and, at 6ft 5in, will tower over Lerena by 6ft 1in.
“I’m going to do what I do and stop it fast,” said Dubois, who has won 17 of his 18 over the distance.
“I’ve been training really hard and losing weight, so I’m going to arrive with speed and I’m able to move now.
“I don’t take him lightly but I’m 100% ready for him. I have to win and win in style.
“I then want to fight the guys with the belts. I want to show that I’m a legitimate competitor and I see this as the start of my career and I’m good to go.”
Lerena, who is fighting in the UK for the first time, won 28 of 29 contests and said: “The preparation went very well, Daniel Dubois is a formidable opponent.
“When the level goes up, so does my level. I am not a springboard, I will give everything I have to take what he has.
“The moment is great, a great stadium, I’m not here to be an opponent, I’m here to write the history of my country.
“I’m here to show the world that I’m on the big stage and here to stay.”
