Dereck Chisora vs. Ondrej Pala: Preview and Prediction for Heavyweight Bout
This Saturday in London, hometown heavyweight contender Dereck Chisora returns to action against Ondrej Pala of the Czech Republic. Chisora has already won three fights this year, and a good performance on Saturday could put the always exciting "Del Boy" in line for another meaningful fight.
Pala is an obscure name to most American fans, and the majority of his opponents have been equally obscure. A victory over Chisora would put him on the map.
This fight is for Chisora's WBO international title and the vacant WBA international title.
Tale of the Tape
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| Per Boxrec | Dereck Chisora | Ondrej Pala |
| Record: | 18-4, 12 KOs | 32-3, 22 KOs |
| Height: | 6'1.5" | 6'3" |
| Reach: | 74" | Unlisted |
| Weight: | About 240 pounds | About 240 pounds |
| Age: | 29 | 29 |
| Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Hometown: | London, England | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Rounds: | 130 | 186 |
Ondrej Pala has more fights and rounds, but Dereck Chisora is the more experienced fighter in terms of level of opposition. The Nigerian native has challenged for a world title and fought some of his adopted homeland's top domestic heavyweights.
I've listed Chisora's weight as about 240, but he has come in as much as 20 pounds heavier in the past. He is a more effective fighter when he comes in close to the weight listed here.
Main Storylines
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Dereck Chisora is one of England's most exciting heavyweights and one of the tougher gatekeepers in the division. It's common for the big men to pad their records against journeymen and trial horses with no prayer, but Chisora has fought a half dozen opponents in the past three years who were highly ranked.
A fat and out-of-shape Chisora lost a decision to Tyson Fury in July 2011, but he seems to have learned his lesson from the experience. He has come to fight in excellent condition ever since.
In December 2011, he dropped a split decision to Robert Helenius that most observers felt he deserved to win. When Helenius had to step aside with an injury, Chisora was tapped to face WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in February 2012.
Chisora went the distance against an injured Klitschko and had some success in backing the champ up in spots. At the post-fight press conference, Chisora got into a brawl with fellow British loudmouth heavyweight David Haye.
The event was considered an international disgrace by the British Boxing Council, but it did make Chisora vs. Haye one of the most anticipated heavyweight battles of 2012. When they finally faced off in July, Haye won by Round 5 TKO.
Chisora has rebounded well from the defeat, winning three times already this year, including a Round 6 TKO of previously unbeaten Malik Scott in July. Chisora is no future world champion in my estimation, but he's one slippery stepping stone.
He has a lot to lose and very little to gain against Ondrej Pala. Pala is an unknown in North America and the U.K., but he has enough power and size to present potential problems for a straight-ahead mauler like Del Boy.
Pala is a late replacement for Matteo Modugno, who had been a replacement fighter for Arnold Gjergjaj. Nobody can ever accuse Chisora of not being down to fight anyone.
Strengths
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Dereck Chisora is a bruiser and a born fighter. He is physically powerful and bullies his way into position to attack the body. He is durable and not easily discouraged.
He's the type of fighter who makes an opponent uncomfortable. He bangs people up in the clinch and roughs them up. When he's in top physical condition, he sets a ferocious, punishing pace.
Ondrej Pala is a big-boned heavyweight with good length. He fights behind a classic European high guard and picks off punches.
He has good power and knows how to set up his punches.
Weaknesses
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Dereck Chisora is right there to be hit for most of the fight. He sometimes lunges off balance, which leaves him vulnerable to hard counters.
He's a thudding puncher rather than an explosive one. That's a disadvantage for a fighter who walks his opponents down.
Ondrej Pala did not handle pressure well against Konstantin Airich in March 2012, when he lost by Round 9 TKO. Airich was able to force him backward and off balance consistently, and in the decisive final round, Pala came undone when Airich drove him into the corner.
A weakness at handling pressure is a big hole against a fighter like Chisora.
Dereck Chisora Will Win If...
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Dereck Chisora should look to apply pressure from the opening bell. He needs to double up his jab and step in with a right hook downstairs.
He should look to involve the hometown crowd and keep the energy level high. He should force Pala into an ugly, brawling fight and then use his superior hand speed to beat his opponent up with short hooks and uppercuts on the inside.
Chisora should mix in some head movement and level changes as well. He wants to brawl, but he needs to protect himself a little bit, because Pala has a decent punch.
Ondrej Pala Will Win If...
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Ondrej Pala needs to establish a stiff jab, or he'll have no hope of keeping Chisora off him. Pala is a fairly thick heavyweight too, but Chisora could rough up a Sasquatch in the clinch.
Pala looked vulnerable going backward against Konstantin Airich last year, so he needs to step to the right as he jabs. This way, he is already moving before Chisora has the chance to drive him backward.
If he can keep jabbing and stepping to the left, it would make it more difficult for Chisora to reset. Eventually he should be able to wind Chisora into a straight right. He should be ready to take advantage if Chisora lunges off balance.
Prediction
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I don't know a lot about Ondrej Pala. He lost by TKO to Denis Boytsov in 2006. He lost by Round 9 TKO to Konstantin Airich last year, and Airich doesn't look like a world beater.
Dereck Chisora has been inconsistent during his career, but when he shows up to fight in good physical condition, he's a handful for pretty much any heavyweight in the world. And so far this year, he's already shown up in good condition three times.
I expect he'll make it four straight this Saturday. Chisora has seemed to be a determined fighter in 2013, and I don't see him letting up this late in the year. He knows there are fights out there that will earn him big paydays.
Chisora is going to make it a brawl from the opening bell. I don't think Pala will have the speed to pump his jab enough to keep Chisora at bay. Chisora is going to rough him up early and wear him down.
I think Chisora will win this by Round 7 TKO. I would like to see him fight either Bermane Stiverne or Mike Perez in a meaningful fight next year.
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