According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF/WBO/Ring Magazine Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will defends his titles against undefeated and unheralded Dereck Chisora on December 11 in Mannheim, Germany.
“I think it’s an interesting fight because a guy who is unbeaten is always an interesting opponent,” Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente told ESPN.com. “He has a very good record and Wladimir and [trainer] Emanuel [Steward] watched some of Chisora’s fights on YouTube and they said he’s fast and can punch. They were impressed. They said he can definitely punch, has good hand speed and is mobile, and that always [makes for] a dangerous opponent.”
“I know that Dereck Chisora is a very dangerous opponent,” Klitschko said. “He’s young, he’s fast and he’s a very hard puncher. My coach, Emanuel Steward, has warned me about Chisora’s quality and reminded me about the great Muhammad Ali, who lost his championship in 1978 to Leon Spinks in his eighth professional fight. I won’t underestimate Chisora. I will prepare myself as intensely as I always do and try to give Chisora no chance.”
“I knew that my victory over Sam Sexton would be a big step in the world rankings, but this chance is unbelievable,” Chisora said. “Everybody thinks my chances against Klitschko are as good as a snowball’s chance in hell, but I don’t care. I have fought my whole life and I am ready for a battle. This will be my night and by the end of this year the whole world will know the name Dereck Chisora.”
“The atmosphere at all my fights in Mannheim is great,” Klitschko, 34, said. “I will always link the SAP Arena with winning my second world championship there against Chris Byrd. It is one of the highlights of my career.”
