Chisora gets Klitschko shot
Dereck Chisora will get his shot at world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on April 30 after last month's bout was called off.
Klitschko, the IBF, WBO and Ring magazine champion, had been due to defend his belts against British and Commonwealth champion Chisora on December 11 in Germany until a stomach injury forced him to pull out at the last minute.
The news leaves WBA champion David Haye's future unclear. Chisora's fellow Londoner has been in protracted negotiations with Klitschko over a unification bout and they had looked like meeting in April or May until Wednesday's announcement.
"This news is a fantastic late Christmas present," Chisora said, who will still have to travel to Germany to undertake his world title bid.
"I always believed that I would fight Klitschko, and my faith has been repaid. I was a bit worried that he might try and fight an easier touch, but I think I've earned my opportunity.
"I was gutted when Wladimir pulled out of our fight just a couple of days beforehand.
"But now I've got another chance to take his titles away.
"He's a great world champion, but his time at the top is well and truly up.
"My promoter Frank Warren has done a great job in getting me this opportunity because there was no guarantee Wladimir would fight me again after he got injured."
Date published :
05 Jan 2011 - 17:30:08
