LONDON (December 21, 2018) – Top-rated heavyweight contenders Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora went face-to-face in a heated final weigh-in just one day before their highly anticipated rematch Saturday, December 22 live on SHOWTIME at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT from The O2 in London.

Whyte (24-1, 17 KOs) and Chisora (29-8, 21 KOs) will run back one of 2016’s best fights as the bitter rivals will continue what they started two years ago with Whyte narrowly edging Chisora in a close, all-out war. The winner will have the inside track at a world title fight in 2019.

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast is hosted by Brian Custer and Hall of Fame analyst Steve Farhood. Live fight coverage will be provided by Sky Sports Box Office with Adam Smith calling the action and former world champion Carl Froch and unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua providing expert analysis.

FINAL WEIGHTS

Heavyweight Bout – 12 Rounds

Dillian Whyte – 246 ½ pounds

Derek Chisora – 246 ¼ pounds

Referee: Marcus McDonnell (England); Judges: Fernando Barbosa (USA), Mauro Di Fiore (USA), John Latham (England)

DOORS 16:45

BOXING STARTS 17:00

4 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
FABIO WARDLEY 16st 6lbs 8oz v PHIL WILLIAMS 17st 9lbs 4oz
(Ipswich) (Bristol)

17:20 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FACEBOOK

6 x 3 mins Middleweight contest
LINUS UDOFIA 11st 9lbs 8oz v PAVOL GARAJ 11st 7lbs 1oz
(Nigeria) (Slovakia)

18:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS BOX OFFICE

12 x 3 mins British Featherweight Championship
RYAN WALSH 8st 13lbs 8oz v REECE BELLOTTI 8st 13lbs 2oz
(Cromer) (Watford)

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
DAVID PRICE 18st 1lb 3oz v TOM LITTLE 18st 6lbs 7oz
(Liverpool) (Hatfield)

10 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
CARLOS TAKAM 18st 2lbs 1oz v SENAD GASHI 16st 4lbs 1oz
(France) (Germany)

12 x 3 mins WBC Flyweight Championship
CRISTOFER ROSALES 7st 13lbs 8oz v CHARLIE EDWARDS 7st 13lbs 8oz
(Nicaragua) (Croydon)

10 x 3 mins WBA International Light-Heavyweight Championship
JOSHUA BUATSI 12st 6lbs 5oz v RENOLD QUINLAN 12st 3lbs 6oz
(Croydon) (Australia)

12 x 3 mins WBC Silver and WBO International Heavyweight Championships
DILLIAN WHYTE 17st 8lbs 8oz v DEREK CHISORA 17st 8lbs 3oz
(Brixton) (Finchley)

LONDON (December 20, 2018) – Top-rated heavyweight contenders Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora took part in the final press conference before their highly anticipated rematch Saturday, December 22 live on SHOWTIME at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT from The O2 in London.

Whyte (24-1, 17 KOs) and Chisora (29-8, 21 KOs) will run back one of 2016’s best fights as the bitter rivals will continue what they started two years ago with Whyte narrowly edging Chisora in a close all-out war. The winner will have the inside track at a possible future mega-fight with IBF, WBA and WBO Champion Anthony Joshua, who will be in attendance Saturday night.

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast is hosted by Brian Custer and Hall of Fame analyst Steve Farhood. Live fight coverage will be provided by Sky Sports Box Office.

Here is what the principals had to say Thursday from the Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel in London:

DILLIAN WHYTE

“There are levels to this thing and my levels just keep rising. I keep improving. Derek will see how strong I am come Saturday night.

“This is boxing and I’m used to people saying, ‘I’m going to do this or that’ to get into my head. I’ve been around long enough and heard fighters say ‘I’m going to come out banging in the first round,’ and then they come and do something else. So I don’t think Derek himself knows what he’s doing or where he’s going.

“I respect everyone. It’s a tough job getting in the ring. I respect everyone from the journeyman to the world champion of the sport.

“You know me, I do whatever it takes to get the win. I don’t need to get up and shout, ‘I’m going to do this or that.’ I just conserve my energy. I’m relaxed. You guys know what I bring and that I can fight, and I can box, and I can hit. You guys know my power. So I don’t have to sit here and scream about what I’m going to do. There will be blood on Saturday night.”

DEREK CHISORA

“David [Haye] put together the pieces for my training. He didn’t train me, but he sat me down and said, ‘This is what we’re going to do to get what we want to get.’ It’s gone well training-wise and lifestyle-wise. Now it’s time to go to war and have a great fight.

On his table-throwing episode during the last press conference two years ago:

“I think the tables are screwed down so you won’t have to worry about that. I don’t think I’m going to do that anymore. I do something when I want to do something and now I’m just happy that training’s gone well and everyone’s fine in my camp.

“I’m going to bring the same game I do for every fight and we’re going to come to fight. His coach says that his fighter will be a boxer and all of that. But truly he’s not in the ring and Dillian’s the one that has to fight and he’s going to try to run, or he can meet me in the middle which would be great for me. Whatever game plan they have is fine. We will come in and seek and destroy.

“The first fight was a great fight. The boxing fans loved it. My brain cells didn’t love it but I enjoyed it. We are going to drown him from the get-go. We know he’s fit, but we want to see how fit he is. We’re going to go BOOM from the gates.

“I don’t want this to go to points. I’m going to knock the sucker out. Hundred percent. I’m going to hit him. I’m going to pound him.”

MARK TIBBS, Whyte’s Trainer

“Ninety-nine point nine percent of the time, a good boxer will beat a good brawler. [Dillian] is not only just a good boxer, he’s a boxer-fighter. We will box and fight our way to a very good victory. It ain’t going to be easy, but we will meet him and greet him and beat him to the punch.”

DAVID HAYE, Former Heavyweight Champion and Chisora’s Manager

“I think Derek has always had in him what he needs to be one of the best heavyweights on the planet. He’s had opportunities in the past but hasn’t capitalized on them the best he could and I think he realizes that now. His experiences have taught him that he needs to work hard and make the sacrifices, and that’s what he’s done. He no longer does the things he used to do and when he stands on the scales tomorrow, you’ll be able to see.

“I’m very confident and I know he has the capabilities. I’ve been in there with him, and I’ve felt his power and his presence in the ring. I’ve seen it. The intensity and ferocity I’ve seen in sparring shows that he’s coming for war. I think the first time he didn’t have 12 rounds of war in him. I think this time he does. I think the power Derek brings will make Dillian very uncomfortable, but the fans are going to love it.”

EDDIE HEARN, Head of Matchroom Boxing

“The winner of this fight Saturday night is so important to the global heavyweight scene and so much is at stake.

“I think the crowd is going to be with Chisora. You know the British fans love the underdog. What makes this fight intriguing to the average fan is that these guys are both characters and very entertaining fighters. At the first fight I sat next to Wladimir Klitschko and he said, ‘I don’t think this fight is going to be very good.’ And after three rounds we looked at each other just shaking our heads.

“The Whyte fight is a big fight for Anthony, but I will stress again the one fight we want is with [Deontay] Wilder. We’re talking now. People shouldn’t assume the rematch with Fury is happening because the deal won’t be that easy. It never is for a fight of that size. It all depends really on Wilder; if he wants to be undisputed and if that matters to him. He can fight Fury after if he believes he can beat A.J. We don’t get chances very often to have undisputed champions, and that’s what everyone wants.

LONDON (December 19, 2018) – Top-rated heavyweight contenders Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora worked out in front of the media just days before their highly anticipated rematch Saturday, December 22 live on SHOWTIME at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT from The O2 in London.

Whyte (24-1, 17 KOs) and Chisora (29-8, 21 KOs) will go toe-to-toe once again in a rematch of one of 2016’s best fights on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL. The all-British affair between the bitter rivals has been brewing since Whyte narrowly edged Chisora in a back-and-forth slugfest that necessitated a rematch. The stakes are high as both fighters have been working toward world title opportunities against IBF, WBA and WBO Champion Anthony Joshua and WBC Champion Deontay Wilder.

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL coverage will be provided by Sky Sports Box Office with host Brian Custer and Hall of Fame analyst Steve Farhood.

Here is what Whyte and Chisora had to say Wednesday from East Wintergarden in London:

DILLIAN WHYTE

“Everybody knows what I come with and what I bring into the ring. We worked on a few new things. We improved in every area. There’s been a lot of talk from him about how he’s given his life to god and he’s got David [Haye] here and all that. We’ll see.

“I’ve changed a lot and improved over the last two years since the last fight. One thing I’ve improved is my consistency. That’s the main thing. I’ve been consistent. I’ve had hard fights, I’ve had boring fights, I’ve had exciting fights but I’ve been consistent.

“The first time I fought him it was only the second time I’ve ever been scheduled for 12 rounds and the time before that I got stopped. I remember the first time I went past five rounds it was like ‘oh crap, this is round six, round seven.’ But now I’ve been there and I’ve done it. I’m experienced and I show different things in different rounds. Even in my last fight, I got put down in the 12th round and got up and did what I had to do to win the fight.”

DEREK CHISORA

“I’m ready for action. The fight is only a couple days away. We are ready to go. I’m excited. Training’s gone well and I’m just a happy guy right now. The big difference with this camp is I’ve given all of the control to David [Haye]. From where I slept, what time I woke up, what I ate, everything.

“We’ve trained hard for this fight. There’s only one way we’re going to go into this fight. We are going to war. Right from the get-go. I’m going to run over to his side and start pounding him down. I hope he’s listening. I’m going to pound you and pound you and pound you. It doesn’t matter what he’s done. He can’t hurt me. He doesn’t have a powerful shot that can bother me. I’m going to find this guy, hunt him down and beat him up.

“I’m born again. I have a new manager and a new training regime. I’m just loving life, basically. It’s working out great for me. As I’ve said before, we have to knock him out. We don’t want to leave it to Eddie [Hearn’s] judges to give him the decision. We have to knock him out. We’re not going to use judges in this fight. We are coming there with a knockout mentality. No points, we’re not coming to box. We’re coming to fight.

“I’m going to go straight at him and I know he’s going to come hard too. He’s not going to shy away from a fight. He knows what’s happening. I’d advise everybody not to sit down at the O2 Arena.”

NEW YORK – December 18, 2018 – SHOWTIME Sports will present the highly anticipated rematch between top-rated heavyweight contenders Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora this Saturday, December 22 live on SHOWTIME at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT. As with all SHOWTIME programming, the event will air live on air and via the networks’ streaming service.

Whyte (24-1, 17 KOs) and Chisora (29-8, 21 KOs) will go toe-to-toe once again in a rematch of one of 2016’s best fights, live from London’s The O2 on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL. The all-British affair between the bitter rivals has been brewing since Whyte narrowly edged Chisora in a back-and-forth slugfest that necessitated a rematch.

“SHOWTIME continues to lead the industry by delivering more of the most compelling boxing events from around the world to our premium cable subscribers and online streaming customers,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, SHOWTIME Sports. “This network has televised all of the most important heavyweight fights during the division’s renaissance and we are proud to join Matchroom Sports in delivering Whyte-Chisora II to our audience. Their first fight was action-packed from bell to bell. Now, with the stakes as high as they have ever been for both men, this bout promises to be even better. I hope that the boxing pundits have not yet cast their vote for Fight, Knockout and Round of the Year. Saturday’s matchup may challenge some of this year’s best.”

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL coverage will be provided by Sky Sports Box Office with host Brian Custer and Hall of Fame analyst Steve Farhood calling the action.

The stakes are high in the rematch, as both Whyte and Chisora have been working toward world title opportunities against IBF, WBA and WBO Champion Anthony Joshua and WBC Champion Deontay Wilder. Whyte holds the No. 1 ranking in the WBC and WBO, as well as the WBA’s No. 4 position. Chisora is ranked No. 5 by both the WBA and IBF, as well as No. 9 by the WBC. Their first matchup was widely regarded as the best heavyweight matchup of 2016, and round five of their “sensational fight” earned Round of the Year honors from ESPN.

London (18 December 2018) Bitter British heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora collide in one of the most eagerly awaited rematches in recent years at The O2 in London on December 22, exclusively live in the UK on Sky Sports Box Office and on DAZN in the US.

The charismatic, unpredictable, but exciting Chisora spoke candidly with Love Island 2018 runner-up Josh Denzel and gave an interesting insight on a number of points around the big-fight this Saturday night.

The full interview can be viewed HERE

On the rematch…
The first fight was a great fight but they gave it to him, and I was like, why? because I did more work than this guy and they gave it to him because he’s the home fighter. I kept on saying, I want the rematch, I want the rematch, and they didn’t want to give it to me and they were pushing Dillian towards AJ, and then suddenly people kept saying they want the rematch, so they gave it to me.

On joining Hayemaker…
I joined up with the Hayemaker and he said listen, this is how champions train if you want to be a champion you have to do this work right now and then afterwards you can enjoy the victory.

I got Don my trainer to give me his number, I called him, he didn’t answer, he didn’t answer because he didn’t have my number. I sent him a message, it’s DC, can you call me me, and then after I called him he answered, I said I’m going to come and see you, it’s Dereck Chisora, “Ahh Cool, come meet me at the Park Plaza,” I met him there and had a chat.

On the memorable fight with David Haye…
When I had the argument with David and then the fight, we had the fight and he won and that was it, there was nothing else to talk about, he’s won the fight fair and square so, like, that’s it. And there’s a bit of banter sometimes when I see him, like, I don’t like you’re cane rows…he rocks them nice though!

“When I sat down with him, I said listen, I’ve changed so many things in my life I need a great manager, somebody who can help me achieve that next step, and he looked at me and he’s goes, “If I’m going to do it, I want to do it 100% percent for you.”.

On religion…
I lost the fight in Monaco which I was not supposed to lose and then, as I was giving my interview, something said, you know what?, you just need to give yourself to the Lord. It’s made me a better person.

Like the big man, Tyson (Fury), himself, you listen to his interviews, all I heard him say is “praise God, praise God,” because he went and believed that little bit of Jesus which helped him to come back as a great fighter he is.

On being the baddest man on the planet…
Yes I am, listen, when we get in the ring, people are going realise, WOW! It’s going to be amazing!

On how he got into boxing…
I was fat kid, went to Finchley to box, plus I was under probation for three years, actually the Metropolitan Police paid for my boxing class, they bought my first boxing boot, boxing gloves, headguard, gumshield, everything!

On giving advice to the 16-year-old Derek Chisora…
I would just tell him, listen, just be careful out there and make the right decisions. When you’re 16 people tell you “don’t do that” because they were 16 before…when you’re 16 make the right decisions.

On what next if he beats Whyte…
I’m going to leave the ring, go home, and attack that Christmas Turkey!

It’s my birthday on 29th December…plus it’s my wife’s birthday!

On what fans can expect in the ring on the night…
I’m going to go to war. I hope he’s ready to go where I’m ready to go. If he’s not, he’s stupid. I’m coming. Hunt him down, just go hit him, hit him, just hit him, hit him and hit and hit and hit and pounce and pounce, pounce, pounce, pounce!

Watch Dillian Whyte vs Derek Chisora 2, from The O2, London, on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, from 6pm. Book it via your Sky remote or www.sky.com/boxoffice

Joshua Buatsi will defend his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Australia’s Renold Quinlan at The O2 in London on December 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Buatsi won the title in spectacular fashion when he destroyed Andrejs Pokumeiko inside one round at The O2 in July before blitzing Frenchman Tony Averlant in the opening round at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle in September.

The 25-year-old Croydon star is hoping that former IBO Super-Middleweight Champion Quinlan will take him rounds. December 22 will be Quinlan’s second fight in the UK, he took Chris Eubank Jr. ten rounds when they clashed at the Olympia last year.

“Renold Quinlan is a good solid fighter,” said Buatsi. “I’m hoping that he will give me the rounds that I need because my last two fights have gone early. He’s a very tough man and a proud Australian, he’ll be coming to fight. This isn’t about the title, it’s about getting the experience under my belt and pushing on.”

“I’ve seen bits of Buatsi and he’s nothing special,” said Quinlan. “He hasn’t fought anyone like me yet and I can’t wait to give him a great fight. I’m delighted to be returning to the UK on such a big card and I’ll be putting on a great performance for all my UK fans.”

Buatsi vs. Quinlan is part of a huge night of boxing in the capital.

Main event sees fierce Heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora rematch after their Fight of the Year contender in December 2016.

Charlie Edwards gets a second shot at a World title when he challenges Cristofer Rosales for the WBC Flyweight World title, David Price and Tom Little meet in a must-win Heavyweight clash and British Featherweight Champion Ryan Walsh puts his Lonsdale belt on the line against Watford’s Reece Bellotti.

Very limited tickets for Whyte vs. Chisora 2 are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

David Price and Tom Little meet on the undercard of the crunch Heavyweight rematch between Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora at The O2 in London on December 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Liverpool puncher Price has suffered back-to-back stoppage defeats, each time on Anthony Joshua’s undercards, and admits he will be fighting for his career when he meets Hatfield’s Little next month.

He was stopped by Alexander Povetkin after initially flooring the Russian last March. Then a fight against Sergey Kuzmin in September was cut short when Price suffered an injury.

The 35-year-old is determined to prove that he can still mix it with the top Heavyweights and is aiming to end 2018 on a high as he bids to return to title contention.

Little, 31, has previously shared the ring with Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze medallist Filip Hrgovic and fast-rising Heavyweight talent Daniel Dubois, who he took five rounds before being stopped in June.

“This is a real fight,” said Price. “He’s well schooled now and he’s also as tough and game as they come. I can’t go from fighting the likes of Alexander Povetkin and Sergiy Kuzmin to fighting knock-over jobs because I need the threat in front of me.

“I know Tom Little really well and he knows me. We’ve done lots of rounds of sparring and I’ve seen him improve a lot during that time. He’s certainly closed the gap that was between us when we first started sparring.

“With the Heavyweight division, there are big fights everywhere. There are so many big names around and they all need dance partners. There are massive opportunities for the winner of this fight on offer.

“What awaits the victor is part of what will make this a cracking fight. Tom has a couple of losses in his last couple of fights and so do I, so we’re both fighting for our careers in this one.”

“I’m delighted and privileged to be fighting on such a great card,” said Little. “This is a massive PPV show on a massive platform in Sky Sports. I’m fighting a huge name and it’s a dream come true to be honest.

“Not to discredit David but I think his last couple of losses have taken a lot out of him and that will be the difference on the night. I think I’m mentally stronger than David, he’s going to let his last couple of defeats get to him whereas I’m just eager to put them behind me and move on.

“I’m willing to go to them deep and dark places to get the win. I’m expecting a very rough fight, it’s going to steal the show. One way or the other, this fight won’t be going the distance.”

Price vs. Little is part of a huge night of boxing in the capital.

Main event sees fierce Heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora rematch after their Fight of the Year contender in December 2016.

Charlie Edwards gets a second shot at a World title when he challenges Cristofer Rosales for the WBC Flyweight World title and British Featherweight Champion Ryan Walsh puts his Lonsdale belt on the line against Watford’s Reece Bellotti, with further exciting fights to be announced soon.

Tickets for Whyte vs. Chisora 2 are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300 and £600 (Inner Ring VIP)

General Sale tickets are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

Charlie Edwards will challenge Cristofer Rosales for the WBC World Flyweight Championship on the undercard of Dillian Whyte vs. Derek Chisora 2 at The O2 in London on December 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Edwards has already challenged for a World title when he met John Riel Casimero for the IBF Flyweight crown, gamely taking the talented Filipino ten rounds in London in September 2016. The 25-year-old has racked up five straight wins since his first professional defeat and is ready to seize his second shot at World title glory.

Powerful Nicaraguan Roasales stopped Daigo Higa to claim the vacant WBC World title in Japan before destroying hometown hero Paddy Barnes in four rounds at Windsor Park in August, and now the 24-year-old plans on silencing The O2 by delivering another devastating performance on December 22.

“I’m delighted to get a shot at the WBC World Flyweight title and I won’t be wasting this opportunity,” said Edwards. “I’ve come on a lot since the Casimero defeat and I’ll show that on December 22 by taking the WBC Flyweight World title home with me.

“I’ve mixed it with a two-weight, legit World champion and it’s done me the World of good. I’ve come on in leaps and bounds since then and I can’t wait to step up to that level again.

“Rosales is a tough man but he’s beatable and we’re already working on a game-plan. I’m heading into this fight with the experience of already challenging for a World title and that will benefit me greatly.

“My first shot at a World title was a huge gamble but this time I’m ready and I’ll be bringing that belt home with me. I’m in this sport to take on the best and December 22 will be my first World title win of many.”

“This is a great fight and huge opportunity for Charlie to win the WBC title,” said Eddie Hearn. “We saw Rosales’ devastating KO over Paddy Barnes this summer and he has become an impressive Champion. Charlie will have the London crowd behind him as he looks to make history on a huge night of boxing.”

Tickets for Whyte vs. Chisora 2 are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300 and £600 (Inner Ring VIP)

General Sale tickets are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

https://www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing/videos/1651426154979671/

https://www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing/videos/1649757335146553/

With Kell Brook unavailable to fight Brandon Cook this Saturday in London, Cook will now face Sam Eggington on the Dillian Whyte – Joseph Parker card, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

12,000 tickets have been sold today for the crunch Heavyweight clash between Dillian Whyte and Joseph Parker at The O2 in London on July 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Tickets flew out on general sale today after venue and Matchroom Fight Pass pre-sales sold-out with fans flocking to witness the Heavyweight tussle supported by a bumper bill.

Whyte is on the cusp of World title action destroyed Lucas Browne with a devastating sixth round KO of the Australian in London in March to defend the WBC Silver title and number one ranking he’d landed by beating Robert Helenius in Cardiff in October.

Parker is back in the UK after fighting in the Welsh capital in an historic unification battle with Anthony Joshua in March, with Whyte’s old foe handing a first career defeat for the New Zealand star on points. Parker is in Britain for the third fight in a row having made his second defence of his WBO crown against Hughie Fury in Manchester in September 2017.

Another 50-50 Heavyweight battle was added to the card today as former World title challengers Dereck Chisora and Carlos Takam meet in a must-win match up that will keep the World title hopes stay alive for the winner, but the loser’s career at the highest level all but over.

Kell Brook clashes with Brandon Cook in a World Super-Lightweight title eliminator, Katie Taylor defends her WBA and IBF World Lightweight titles against Kimberly Connor, Conor Benn and Cedric Peynaud rematch after their fight of the year brawl in 2017 with a title on the line this time and Joshua Buatsi steps up in his first ten rounder against former British Light-Heavyweight title challenger Ricky Summers.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday June 15 at 10am from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202.

Tickets are priced £40, £60 and £80.

Face value tickets for July 28 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Dereck Chisora and Carlos Takam will meet in a crunch Heavyweight clash at The O2 in London on July 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Both men find their careers on a knife-edge going into the clash, with Finchley man and former World title challenger Chisora seeking a big win to fire his name into the mix for major title fights having been edged out by Agit Kabayel for the European title in Monaco in November following a narrow defeat to headliner Dillian Whyte in a fight of the year contender in Manchester in December 2017.

Takam is back in the UK following his spirited challenge against Anthony Joshua for the IBF, WBA and IBO World titles at Principality Stadium in Cardiff in October. The Frenchman came in at ten days’ notice to replace Kubrat Pulev and became the first man to take Joshua into the championship rounds before getting stopped in the tenth. That sterling performance followed hot on the heels of giving Whyte’s opponent in London, Joseph Parker, a real test in his New Zealand backyard in May 2016, being edged out on points by the Kiwi.

With Chisora ranked at number ten in the WBC and Takam in at number six with the IBF, the winner will be hunting World honours later in the year, but for the loser, it will look like curtains at elite level – and that makes it must-win for both me.

“I’m delighted to get another big heavyweight clash over the line for July 28 – this is a great fight,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “For Del Boy, it’s a real last chance saloon at World level and for Takam it’s a chance to push for another World title shot after a string showing against AJ. July 28 is going to be a huge night of boxing at The O2.”

Chisora and Takam clash on a massive night at The O2, as Whyte and Parker clash in a Heavyweight blockbuster.

Kell Brook clashes with Brandon Cook in a World Super-Lightweight title eliminator, Katie Taylor defends her WBA and IBF World Lightweight titles against Kimberly Connor, Conor Benn and Cedric Peynaud rematch after their fight of the year brawl in 2017 with a title on the line this time and Joshua Buatsi steps up in his first ten rounder against former British Light-Heavyweight title challenger Ricky Summers.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday June 15 at 10am from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202.

Tickets are priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £200. Inner Ringside VIP tickets are priced at £500.

Face value tickets for July 28 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Kell Brook will face Brandon Cook in a World Super-Welterweight title eliminator at The O2 in London as part of a stellar undercard for the Heavyweight blockbuster between Dillian Whyte and Joseph Parker on Saturday July 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Brook made his bow at Super-Lightweight with a destructive second round win over Sergey Rabchenko in Sheffield in March – with the Steel City favourite landing the WBC International crown to start his march to two-weight world glory.

‘The Special One’ has been called out by all the big-guns at 154lbs after crashing into the rankings with that win, and will arrow in on a World title crack if he can see off the dangerous Cook. The Canadian – who turns 32 today – will be desperate to hijack Brook’s dreams of landing another World title, and ‘Bad Boy’ Cook, rated number four with the WBO, nine in the WBA and 11 with the IBF, enters the fight on the wave of back-to-back early KO wins.

Irish sensation Katie Taylor is straight back into a big fight after unifying the Lightweight division in Brooklyn in April, wrestling the IBF strap from Victoria Bustos in a thrilling encounter in the Big Apple. Taylor now meets IBF mandatory Kimberly Connor in London with her WBA belt also on the line, and Texan Connor has her second crack at World honours having tackled Argentine Bustos for the vacant strap in March 2017.

Conor Benn and Cedric Peynaud served up one of the fights of the year in 2017 when they clashed at York Hall in December, and the rematch will take place under the dome. Benn looked in serious trouble of tasting defeat for the first time as a pro after hitting the deck twice in the opening session, but the son of British legend Nigel rallied to floor the Frenchman in the fifth and sixth rounds to edge a stunning contest – the return has added spice with a title on the line in Benn’s 13th pro outing.

Rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi faces a real step-up on the bill in his seventh pro outing since turning pro at The O2 last July, taking on former British title challenger Ricky Summers in his first ten round contest.

“July 28 is a huge night of boxing with a brilliant 50-50 Heavyweight match up and a stacked card beneath it,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Kell returns to the scene of his epic shootout with GGG to face highly ranked Canadian Brandon Cook in a World title eliminator that will put him in pole position for a shot at all the World champions.

“Irish sensation Katie Taylor returns to The O2 to defend her WBA and IBF World titles against mandatory challenger Kimberley Connor, Conor Benn rematches Cedric Peynaud for his first title after their 2017 fight of the year contender and Joshua Buatsi makes a huge step up to face Birmingham’s Ricky Summers in his first ten round fight. There is still plenty more to be added this week including one major title fight – roll on July 28!”

Tickets are on sale now to O2 Priority members at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday June 14 at 10am to Matchroom Fight Pass members via www.StubHub.com and the venue and AXS pre-sale before tickets go on general sale at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday June 15 at 10am from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202.

Tickets are priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £200. Inner Ringside VIP tickets are priced at £500.

Dillian Whyte will meet Joseph Parker in a crunch Heavyweight clash at The O2 in London on July 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Whyte is on the cusp of World title action destroyed Lucas Browne with a devastating sixth round KO of the Australian in London in March to defend the WBC Silver title and number one ranking he’d landed by beating Robert Helenius in Cardiff in October.

Parker is back in the UK after fighting in the Welsh capital in an historic unification battle with Anthony Joshua in March, with Whyte’s old foe handing a first career defeat for the New Zealand star on points. Parker is in Britain for the third fight in a row having made his second defence of his WBO crown against Hughie Fury in Manchester in September 2017.

“There’s going to be blood, pain and a knockout,” said Whyte. “I’m bang up for this.

“He’s a good fighter but he didn’t show much courage against Joshua. I want him to be more adventurous and not go on the run, but he knows that if he has a fight against me, he’s getting knocked out clean and in a brutal way.

“I like challenges and I rise to them, this is a big fight. There’s a massive incentive for me to wipe him out and show the world that I am ready to be the top man in the division – I want a World title and I know I can beat Deontay Wilder and Joshua.

“We’re back at The O2, it’s always a great atmosphere inside the arena and I’ll be looking to get a similar result to my last fight there.

“Beating Parker should almost guarantee me a World title shot but let’s see. He’s going to be very desperate, I’m expecting the best Joseph Parker because he can’t afford to have back to back defeats, but that’s exactly what he’s going to get, and it’s going to be another massive KO win for me at The O2.”

“We’ve both been in with AJ. One of us ended the fight on our feet, the other didn’t. That pretty much speaks for itself,” said Parker – the only fighter to so far take Joshua the full distance.

“I’m really looking forward to fighting Dillian. He’s got a big mouth and says some funny things – and he’s also highly entertaining in the ring. It’ll be an incredible fight. There’s no doubt about that.

“I’m really happy with how things have things have worked out. I know it took a lot of hard work from my team to get this over the line.”

“This fight came out of nowhere and I can’t quite believe it’s happening,” said Whyte’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “Two guys that will fight anyone agreed a fight within hours and now we have the prospect of a brilliant Heavyweight match up that will play a major part in shaping the division.

“Dillian has become a major force and Joseph is putting it all on the line after taking AJ the distance for the first time. Both want a return shot at the title and a win in such a high profile match up will be more effective than any eliminator-this could be a classic.

“We are planning a big night and a huge card at The O2 on July 28 and I really do take my hat off to Dillian and Joseph for taking on this challenge.”

“This a proper 50-50 fight,” said Parker’s promoter David Higgins. “It could go either way. That makes it the most interesting Heavyweight fight this year.

“It’s the people’s eliminator. Whyte shook up Joshua and Parker is the first man to take him the distance. There’s no doubt the winner should move into a mandatory challenger spot.

“Dillian’s a good fighter who takes chances. He’s incredibly dangerous. We saw that with the way he KO’d Lucas Browne. Joseph will have to deal with a physical and verbal onslaught – but he’s well and truly up for the challenge.

“He’s coming off what is probably the second biggest pay per view event in European history and has already earned respect with the British public. His goal is to shut Whyte up by knocking him out and then get a rematch with Joshua – with a different referee.

“Boxing is the riskiest business in the world. A promoter’s job is to find the best opportunity for their boxer. That means keeping all options on the table.

“I make no apologies for making the best possible deal for Joseph Parker. The reality is no deal was ever going to without the Parkers being fully satisfied with what was on the table.

“This fight is a great opportunity for Joseph and for Dillian. It’s a fight the world wants to see.

“Yes, we were negotiating with Jennings but we were also negotiating with other parties. In the end, Eddie and I managed to make a deal that has led to what will be one of the most compelling Heavyweight fights of the year.

“It’s a real credit to Eddie and Dillian that we’ve been able to make this fight happen. They’ve been confident and decisive from the outset – and that was a huge factor in getting us to where we are today.”

An announcement on ticket details will be made tomorrow.

Epic Sports won the purse bid to stage a IBF heavyweight elimination bout between Kubrat Pulev and Dillian Whyte, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Epic Sports & Entertainment, headed by former longtime Don King attorney John Wirt, won with a bid of $1,500,111 to easily beat two other bidders. Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, Whyte’s promoter, offered $831,111, while Pulev promoter Team Sauerland bid $801,305.

Pulev is entitled to 75 percent of the winning bid ($1,125,083.25), and Whyte will receive the remaining 25 percent ($375,027.75).

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, an IBF Heavyweight elimination bout could be on tap between Kubrat Pulev and Dillian Whyte.

“We accepted the IBF final eliminator against Breazeale. Unfortunately, he did not fancy boxing Kubrat so now the next ranked is Dillian Whyte,” Team Sauerland promoter Nisse Sauerland, Pulev’s promoter, told ESPN on Wednesday. “We are already in dialogue with [Whyte’s] promotional team and would love to take this fight to [Bulgarian capital] Sofia, where Pulev can sell out a stadium. It’s great news for Pulev and Whyte as both want to fight for the world title and this gives a guaranteed shot whilst providing the fans with a super fight along the way.”

“We’ve put all of our eggs in a basket with the WBC [whose belt Wilder holds] and [Whyte is] No. 1, but until the convention comes around they won’t make a move and make him the mandatory,” Hearn told ESPN. “They could also order a final eliminator, so it’s a difficult decision. It’s a good opportunity with Pulev and it’s a fight we fancy. But Whyte is also chasing Deontay Wilder, which might not materialize. I’m not sure yet what Dillian and the team want to do, but I know this: If you are the IBF mandatory you will get a world title shot against someone.”

By Bart Barry-

Saturday British heavyweight Dillian Whyte defended his WBC silver title by twizzlehammering an aged and limited Australian toughman named Lucas Browne in London. Round about the time of that spectacle something far more captivating happened in Washington D.C. But as this is a boxing column:

Knockouts solve most viewer issues. They clear the buffers like a deep breath and cloud all previous criticisms with ingratitude. It’s what heavyweights have, an unfairest advantage, over their diminutive coworkers. In an instant all the grappling and lumbering looks strategic. What was an obvious and unsightly compensation for unathleticism passes through a moment’s crucible into a gatheringplace of possibilities.

Even if there is no way to believe the wild misses and blubbering collisions were tactics addressed on the mitts or slipbag through camp there’s quite quickly no way to checkmate a fan who argues they were: The missed hook lowered the opponent’s head for an uppercut that missed but returned the weight to the front foot from which another missed hook perfectly positioned the jab for a crisp landing that made the opponent blink.

You’ve sparred or been before a heavybag enough to know none of this true, or at least not intentional, but you sense the explanation cycles might be better expended on a subject more promising. Because of the fan’s passion. It’s that. He’s charged by the knockout, and you’re not energetic enough to dissuade him. Maybe you latch on the untruth of his assertion, maybe the conditions of your life are such an unchecked misconception animates you sufficiently to the task of arguing moment by moment frame after frame how wrong he is, maybe, but you don’t persuade him. Because the jolt he experienced when viewing the concussive conclusion may be undone someday by time but not by reason.

The more rational we are the more this bugs us. We take refuge in our knowledge and experience – anyone who’s actually been in a fight knows there’s no way he missed that hook just to miss the uppercut – but our reason brings us much less of a charge the truebeliever’s experience brings him, while our reason brings him no charge whatever.

The written word has a sobriety moving images do not. It’s why, if you’re reading this, you likely find refuge in it. A writer, by way of his chosen medium, is more accountable to the future than a commentator. There’s a metaphor, or a cliche lying in wait, somewhere in the distance between the brain and the fingers being a few times the distance between the brain and the mouth. There’s more time for processing written thoughts than spoken ones, which makes spoken commentary many times the tightrope shimmy writing is. We sense this and allow the spoken word a margin for error we do not afford the written word.

*

Allow me to interrupt this dissertation on how we process commentary to celebrate briefly an extraordinary speech made on Saturday. You’ve probably seen it by now and have your opinion already fully formed – as Americans we don’t do much persuading anymore. But I’m mentioning it because while Whyte’s knockout of Browne affected me enough to watch a couple times, Emma Gonzalez’s speech is something I haven’t stopped watching.

Mine isn’t a political commentary in any sense greater than it’s a commentary on an act of political speech. It’s an aesthetic commentary, instead, on the power of its delivery. To stand before an audience that size and remain silent – to deliver the only sound and image undisarmed by a contemporary existence of beeping and blinking and vibrating – is potent an act of performative presence I can recall seeing.

To those who would say it was manufactured or coached, there is this: Every moving image you’ve ever seen was manufactured or coached. There is manufacture, and there is delivery. Frankly there’s not competence enough on the side of those who would manufacture this moment to believe they had anything to do with its creation – they haven’t manufactured a speaker or coached a candidate able to create a moment such as Saturday’s in at least a decade of constant and expensive trying.

Emma Gonzalez’s speech stands alone as remarkable. That is all.

*

Whyte is not the future, near or distant, of boxing; he was in fact knocked spastic then silly by the future of boxing 2 1/2 years ago. Regardless, he’s now an HBO mainevent a-side for as long as the former “Heart & Soul of Boxing” tries to seduce British promoter Eddie Hearn, who owns the promotional rights to the future of boxing. It’s appropriate as it is unseemly; if Golovkin-”Clenelo” 2 gets cancelled, as is now possible if unlikely, HBO Sports will have the superflyweight division and exclusive rights to Andre the Giant and discouragingly little more.

But if any division can supply mediocrity that is entertaining, it’s the heavyweights. At every moment there is the potential for one man’s unconsciousness, and the strategies are so obvious and the punching so slow even the beginner fan can make rich sense of it all in realtime. Best of all, when you unfactor height, which the fighters mostly do for you, the men fighting one another have the sorts of physiques to which laymen can relate.

From a broadcasting perspective it’s certainly not an ambitious failure. It even may not be a failure. It’s safety-first all the way.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Dillian Whyte stopped previously undefeated former WBA Heavyweight champion Lucas Browne in round sic of their 12 round heavyweight bout at The O2 Arena in London.

Whyte cut Browne over his left eye in round one from a right hand. Whyte continued to batter Browne over the next five rounds with an assortment of body punches and ripping hooks to the head. Whyte had a a little blood from the nose in round five.

In round six, Browne’s left eye was a bloody mess and that was coupled with cuts from his nose and mouth. Whyte landed a right over the top that was followed by a left to the jaw that sent Browne down and out on his stomach. Browme would lay motionless on the canvas for several minuted and would eventually need oxygen.

The time of the stoppage was 37 seconds for Whyte, 254.2 lbs of London, UK, who now seeks a world title bout with a record of 23-1 with 17 knockouts. Browne, 264.5 lbs of Sydney, Australia is now 25-1.

Dillian Whyte has got to the top of the bill the hard way – and he has no intention of letting Lucas Browne derail his path to World title glory as they clash at The O2 tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports.

Whyte defends the WBC Silver Heavyweight title he won against a defensive Robert Helenius in Cardiff in October, landing the number one spot in the WBC into the bargain.

The ‘Body Snatcher’s’ admits boxing saved his life from a life of crime and gave him a second chance, but that was taken from him for two years 2012 following a failed drugs test. Whyte has battled to get back on track and now only Browne stands in his way to punching his ticket to the top table.

“It means a lot to headline The O2,” said Whyte, who scaled 18st 2lbs 2oz, nine pounds lighter than the challenger. “Topping the bills as a star is what I’ve been working for. Nothing good comes easy. Boxing is a hard sport to make a living from and it gets even harder to stay at the top when you get there. I am well aware of that, but I’m a tough man and I don’t give up easily.

“I’ve done it the hard way, built myself up and battled to get to where I am through a lot of setbacks. My rage and anger got me to a certain point in the sport and then I had the accident. I’m a realist and an analyst, I took myself away and I realised I had to become more professional and get good people around me and I made the transition, that’s what is here now and there’s still more to come, but I am getting there.

“You have to be yourself, if you are and you believe in yourself and what you say, you aren’t going to do wrong things, you just have to be honest and real, that’s all a man can do.

“Sky Sports and Matchroom are now right behind me so this is my time to shine. I should be mandatory challenger in maybe two or three governing bodies because I’m highly ranked in all of them and Lucas is a good name to have a win over.”

Whyte’s meeting with Browne tops a huge night at The O2 with a pair of great British title clashes as Frank Buglioni defends his Light-Heavyweight title against Commonwealth champion Callum Johnson and Lewis Ritson puts his Lightweight title up for grabs against former champion Scotty Cardle.

Tickets for Whyte vs. Browne at The O2 in London are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 from www.theO2.co.uk. VIP tickets priced £200 are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for March 24 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

RUNNING ORDER AND WEIGHTS

Doors Open – 17:00

4 x 3 mins Featherweight contest

LOUIE LYNN 9st 6oz v MICHAEL HOROBIN 9st 6oz

(London) (London)

4 x 3 mins Cruiserweight contest

RICHARD RIAKPORHE 14st 1lb 3oz v ADAM WILLIAMS 14st 3lbs 2oz

(Walworth) (Manchester)

6 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight contest

CRAIG RICHARDS 12st 7lbs 7oz v IVAN STUPALO 12st 5lbs 6oz

(Crystal Palace). (Croatia)

6 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight contest

JAMIE COX 12st 4lbs 5oz v HARRY MATTHEWS 12st 5lbs 6oz

(Swindon) (York)

LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FROM 7PM

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest

DERECK CHISORA 17st 12lbs 5oz v ZAKARIA AZZOUZI 17st 7lbs 2oz

(Finchley) (France)

Followed by

6 x 3 mins Super-Welterweight contest @ 11st 2lbs

ANTHONY FOWLER v KALILOU DEMBELE

(Liverpool) (France)

Followed by

12 x 3 mins British Lightweight Championship

LEWIS RITSON 9st 9lbs v SCOTT CARDLE 9st 7lbs 9oz

(Forest Hall) (Lytham)

Followed by

12 x 3 mins British and Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Championship

FRANK BUGLIONI 12st 6lbs 3oz v CALLUM JOHNSON 12st 6lbs 7oz

(Winchmore Hill) (Boston)

Followed by

12 x 3 mins WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship

DILLIAN WHYTE 18st 2lbs 2oz v LUCAS BROWNE 18st 11lbs 2oz

(Brixton) (Australia)

LIVE FLOAT

6 x 3 mins Welterweight contest

CHRIS KONGO 10st 8lbs 9oz v SERGE AMBOMO 10st 6lbs 2oz

(Bermondsey) (Sheffield)

HBO Boxing jets across the Atlantic to familiar territory – the boxing hotbed of London, England for an important heavyweight matchup as HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: DILLIAN WHYTE VS. LUCAS BROWNE is presented SATURDAY, MAR. 24 at 6:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) with a same-day replay at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT) from the landmark O2 venue in London. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

The 12-round heavyweight tilt matches Britain’s Dillian Whyte (22-1, 16 KOs) in a major showdown against Lucas Browne (25-0, 22 KOs) of Australia. The two fighters are looking to move up the suddenly crowded and formidable heavyweight ladder. A win for either fighter puts them in prime position for a bigger showdown later in the year.

While Whyte has the home crowd advantage fighting in front of a partisan audience, Browne has shown a willingness to travel and will be making his sixth ring appearance on British soil. Though they have only met at press conferences, the two fighters have sparked a hot rivalry and both are heading into the late March showdown determined to register a convincing victory.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.

All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

The executive producer of HBO Sports is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Johnathan Evans.

® HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.