On Saturday, reigning WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury looks to go 3-0 over old rival Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast by BT Sport Box Office in the U.K. and ESPN+ in the U.S.
Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) is coming off a spectacular one-punch, sixth-round knockout over Dillian Whyte in April. That bout took place at Wembley Stadium and pulled in a U.K. attendance record of 94,000 fans. The trilogy bout with Chisora is expected to pull in approximately 65,000.
Immediately after the bout, at the post-fight press conference, Fury officially announced his retirement from the sport. Few believed him, and less than six months later “The Gypsy King” was back.
Chisora] gave me my first opportunity on a British title, then he gave me my second opportunity on a British and European title, and a final eliminator for a world title. Now I’m repaying Derek by giving him a shot at the world title.”
The 38-year-old Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) is a massive underdog and, hyperbole to one side, if he were to beat Fury it would rank among the biggest upsets in boxing history. The fighter known as “War” has defied the odds in the past, but Fury has always looked like a bridge too far.
“I back myself every day in everything I do,” countered Chisora. “In the United Kingdom, we have this thing of saying nobody’s got a chance. A couple of years ago, Leicester [FC] didn’t have a chance of winning the premier league and they won it. You never know who’s got a chance.”
Prior to the Fury-Chisora main event, fans will be treated to action from super featherweight to heavyweight. The Sporting News now breaks down Saturday’s undercard:
British colossus Daniel Dubois makes his maiden defence of the lightly regarded WBA “regular” heavyweight title when he takes on South African boxer-puncher Kevin Lerena.
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Since his stoppage defeat to Joe Joyce, in November 2020, Dubois (18-1, 17 KOs) has bounced back with three knockout wins. With his most recent outing — a second-round drubbing of American Trevor Bryan — the amiable Londoner netted himself this secondary world title.
Lerena (28-1, 14 KOs) made his bones in the cruiserweight division and was rated as high as No. 4 by The Ring. In the fall of 2020, the 30-year-old southpaw ventured north to heavyweight and he’s won three fights since. In September, Lerena won a 12-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Mariusz Wach.
The 37-year-old Mendy (47-5-1, 22 KOs) is a strong technician with bags of experience. It was that very attribute that led to a signature win over former Olympic champion Luke Campbell, in 2015, and the Frenchman is still operating at a high level despite his age.
Berinchyk, 34, could be a tough challenge. The Ukrainian lefty has been matched tough over the last three years and has amassed a 16-0 (9 KOs). His most recent outing was a 12-round unanimous decision win over former world title challenger Isa Chaniev.
