British heavyweights Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora will hold a rematch in London on December 22, it was announced on Thursday.
The duo will go head-to-head at The O2 in a highly-anticipated clash which comes some two years since Whyte defeated Chisora on a controversial split decision in Manchester.
Whyte, 30, has since beaten Australian Lucas Browne and also in July overcame New Zealand’s former WBO champion Jospeh Parker to stake his claim for a world title shot.
BREAKING…Nearly two years ago they treated us to a heavyweight classic. Now, coming off the biggest wins of their career @DillianWhyte and @DerekWarChisora do it all over again. Dec 22 @TheO2 – The brawl to settle it all! 🇬🇧 #WhyteChisora2 pic.twitter.com/WWOqjw5pYD — Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) November 1, 2018
Chisora, meanwhile, will come into the showdown after stopping Carlos Takam in eight rounds on the undercard of the Whyte/Parker show at The O2 and is now managed by former ring adversary David Haye.
Whyte maintains there will be no disputing the outcome when the pair go toe-to-toe again.
“This will be Chisora’s last fight, the donkey’s last ride,” Whyte said.
IT’S ON! 💥💥@DillianWhyte and @DerekWarChisora rematch Dec 22 @TheO2, live on @skysports Box Office & @DAZN_USA! 🔥🔥 #WhyteChisora2 pic.twitter.com/RxX7G3jeeh — Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) November 1, 2018
“I think that he needs to really have a good think about taking this fight because he’s going to be heading home after the fight looking like he’s been run over by a truck.
“I believe that I’ll knock him out in devastating fashion this time.
“Last time was my first 12-rounder and I was a little bit inexperienced, but this time I’ll know exactly what to do. He’s at the end of the road.”
It’s on baby it’s n baby let’s go let’s go baby #TEAMBODYDNATCHER pic.twitter.com/llEpocTIHp — Dillian Whyte (@DillianWhyte) November 1, 2018
Whyte, whose only defeat from 25 fights came against Anthony Joshua at the end of 2015, hopes he will soon be handed an opportunity to fight for a world championship.
“This is heavyweight boxing and you never know what’s around the corner, but I’ve done what I need to do to secure a shot at a world title,” he said.
“There’s always something getting in the way, other fights being made or money and politics ruining things – but after I finish Chisora, nobody can deny me my shot.”
Chisora, meanwhile, maintains he has unfinished business to settle with Whyte.
“I was cheated in our first fight by the judges, everyone knows that I was the true victor. This time I have a score to settle, Dillian won’t be hearing the final bell to be saved by the judges,” the 34-year-old said.
“I will be stepping in the ring a different fighter. I have everything to prove and it all to lose.”
Chisora added: “Dillian has spent the last two years avoiding getting back in the ring with me.
Whyte-Chisora 1 was fight of the year. The rematch is on. Del Boy is no longer. War Chisora is here at the London press conference and he means business. Follow it live here: https://t.co/U8NTYoooYy pic.twitter.com/WPv4qJdcgo — David Haye (@mrdavidhaye) November 1, 2018
“For the next seven weeks he will have sleepless nights knowing what he has finally signed up to. I’m in the gym every day pushing my body to its limit.”
Haye believes Chisora has the right mindset to overcome his latest challenge.
He said: “Dereck has huge untapped potential.
“The fact he has reached out to me – someone historically he had such animosity with – for help demonstrates the lengths he is willing to go in order to realise the best version of himself.”
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