David Haye and Dereck Chisora go head-to-head on Saturday in arguably the most controversial bout in the history of British boxing.
I’m sure you all know the back story to this one and it’s a tale that will be repeated many times over this week so I’m going to get to the nitty gritty of the actual boxing match to take place at West Ham United’s Upton Park.
Chisora (available to back at 9/4 with
Betfred) is a slugger and coming off three straight losses to useful opponents Tyson Fury Robert Helenius and Vitali Klitschko (obviously the most useful). Chisora’s last performance against Vitali was arguably his best ever. He pushed the older Klitshcko harder than anyone in recent memory and gained almost universal credit, that was until it all got a bit ugly at the post fight press conference.
Chisora is likely to adapt a come forward, high pressure and high punch output strategy and he isn’t talented enough or wise enough to try anything that we haven’t seen from him before. The Zimbabwe native has decent head movement and a good engine. The one thing for absolute certain is Chisora’s unpredictability. He came in way too heavy against Fury and it has been a colourful build up to this high profile contest. Can ‘Del Boy’ really have avoided distraction ahead of this fight? It’s any bodies guess and we’ll find out on Saturday.
In the opposite corner will be David Haye (4/11). The ‘Hayemaker’ and his manager/ trainer Adam Booth are possibly the most calculated and selfish minds in boxing today. Everything they do publicly is for a reason and to get a reaction and they certainly talked themselves into a world heavyweight title fight with the world’s no.1 Wladimir Klitschko. Haye has come out of a self imposed ring retirement that lasted less than six months and he certainly wouldn’t have broken that so called promise just for Dereck Chisora. Haye has more experience at a higher level, is by far the classier and quicker of the two and can adapt his gameplan at will. The last plod forward fighter Haye faced went by the name of John Ruiz and he was on his backside within 30 seconds.
Chisora will be more resistant than Ruiz but I can see Haye picking his opponent off all night long with the single Hayemakers that we know he can throw. 32-year-old Haye will also have quick enough reactions to avoid most of Chisora’s shots from the outside. The key to this fight for Chisora will be his ability to fight on the inside, he will try and rough Haye up and work the body and Haye can avoid being hurt up close by either tying Chisora up or hitting and moving like he did against man mountain Nikolai Valuev.
I envisage Haye’s money shot to be the lunging lead right hand through the middle as Chisora moves forward and this will mark up the underdog before the referee or Chisora’s corner are forced to step in. A Haye KO win is advised at 5/4.
Khan v Garcia
Amir Khan has had a lengthy and arduous route back to the ring with a whole host of ongoings since his December 2011 loss to Lamont Peterson. Khan (1/6 for the win) faces undefeated American Danny Garcia (4/1) in Las Vegas with Garcia’s recently acquired WBC light welterweight title on the line.
Bolton’s Khan has had a challenging training camp for this one having started training way back in March for a May 19th bout that was subsequently cancelled. His training has taken place in Bolton, the Philippines, Los Angeles and Las Vegas with head trainer Freddie Roach missing for significant periods, that’s not to mention the two separate conditioning coaches he’s had.
Put simply, Khan’s performance against Peterson was not good enough and he seemed more interesting in ‘proving’ he could take a punch rather than fighting the way Roach would’ve liked him to. If Khan reverts to his usual strategy of bouncing in and out, throwing fast straight shots then this fight could be over quickly and Garcia will be made to look out of his depth and the gulf in class will be clear. If Khan again tries to get involved in a brawl again he could well become unstuck against the powerful and rugged Garcia.
Garcia has fought no way near the calibre of opponents Khan has come up against and is largely unproven at the truly top level. The Philadelphian has dispatched of fringe contenders such as Kendall Holt and Nate Campbell and downed living legend Erik Morales last time out, the Mexican did outbox Garcia for prolonged periods in that fight though. And that’s what I expect Khan to do this Saturday evening live on Sky Sports.
With Garcia an unknown quantity at this level and Khan not certain to stick to his trainer’s gameplan, this one is tricky to call. If Khan boxers to the best of his abilities and avoids a brawl he can win easily and the KO would be likely at 10/11. If Khan invites Garcia to test his chin we could have a big upset and the champions left hook is not something you would want to be introduced to, it might be worth a small go on the Garcia KO at 7/1 for that punch alone. I’ll leave it to you to make your mind up.
The News
It’s been all about Haye and Chisora this week with outlandish quotes being thrown about at the press conference and weigh in. Many boxing fans have been upset by the fact that the heavyweight clash is only scheduled for 10 rounds which is pretty mad.
Josesito Lopez seems to have won the pass the parcel themed game regarding Saul Alvarez’s next opponent. A whole host of names where mentioned to share a ring with the Mexican sensation on September 15th. Lopez upset the odds against Victor Ortiz last time out and has never fought at light middleweight so this should be an easy nights work for Canelo.
The Bet
David Haye to KO Dereck Chisora at 5/4. Can’t see any other outcome than Haye picking off Chisora and causing heavy facial damage before the referee steps in.
Quote Of The Week
“Chisora’s not a nice man, not a nice human being. He’s been convicted of attacking police officers and has got a real long criminal record. From the stuff I’ve seen him doing personally and from what I’ve heard from people who know him, he’s a horrible, spiteful man, and a bully. He needs to be punished because the law hasn’t punished him.”
David Haye expects to punish Dereck Chisora this weekend in what promises to be an explosive evening.
