Fury vs. Chisora 2: Date, Time, TV Info and Keys for Both Fighters in Rematch
Much has changed since the last time Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora stepped in a ring together.
Fury (22-0, 16 KOs) weathered an early storm and rather handily defeated Chisora (20-4, 13 KOs) by unanimous decision (117-112, 117-112, 118-111) all the way back in July 2011. Both fighters are now working at the top of the heavyweight ranks and their careers will yet again converge on the canvas on Nov. 29.
Fury, now balder and badder, has won all seven of his bouts since that fight—six of them via TKO or knockout. However, this rematch against Chisora will be just his second of the calendar year after he briefly walked away from the sport due to bouts that failed to materialize, per The Independent's Steve Bunce.
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“I did walk away, that was not a threat,” said Fury, via Bunce.
Chisora didn't fare quite as well after facing Fury. He won his next match, but then suffered three consecutive defeats from late 2011 through 2012, the last two high-profile contests against David Haye and Vitali Klitschko.
He's managed to maintain his place as a top-tier puncher in the heavyweight ranks. Chisora has won his last five fights—four by TKO—good enough to book another bout with Fury.
The old rivalry will be renewed at the ExCel Arena in London. Fury, one of the top heavyweights in Europe, can add yet another title to his collection—Chisora's EBU heavyweight belt and the vacant British heavyweight title—and (hopefully) earn a fight with world-champion Wladimir Klitschko. Chisora, the hometown fighter, will be eager to exact revenge on his mammoth opponent and possibly book his own date with Klitschko.
Here is a rundown of the date, time and television information for the bout so not a round of sweet science is missed, followed by one key thing for each boxer to pay attention to once they touch gloves and the bell sounds on Saturday night.
Fury vs. Chisora 2: Fight Info
Date: Nov. 29
Time (ET): 3 p.m.
Location: ExCel Arena, London, United Kingdom
TV Info: BoxNation (UK)
Live Stream: ESPN3
Chisora Must Have Better Pacing
Chisora was nowhere close to peak shape in his loss to Fury. He looked sharp for two rounds, ducking and moving all about the ring. Fury could hardly land any solid blows early, but Chisora quickly tired and began to catch too many of Fury's jabs and uppercuts to the head. The Zimbabwe-born fighter weighed in at a staggering 261 pounds during that contest.
It appears he's learned his lesson. In his last fight, a 12-round unanimous win over Kevin Johnson, Chisora weighed in at 238 pounds. He needs to be at or near this weight to have a chance against Fury, and even then he must control the pace of the fight as best he can.
Chisora needs to be able to continue his bobbing and weaving in the later rounds if he is to close the distance and slog through the thicket of jabs coming from Fury's long, branch-like arms. Sacrificing some early combinations in favor of a measured approach would serve him well.
Going for Fury's body, which could potentially slow the big man down just enough to give Chisora some opportunities to catch his own breath, is a dangerous proposition with Fury's knockout power. However, it's a risk Chisora must take if he is to have enough power later in the match to score a knockout win, something he has spoken of doing against a slimmed-down Fury.
"I am convinced I will knock him out because he’s lost so much weight,” he said in September 2014, via the Manchester Evening News' James Robson. “He’s lost so much weight and power in his legs."
If he can't get a knockout, Chisora will then definitely need as much wind as possible in the late rounds to hold a potential advantage on points.
Fury Should Be More Aggressive Early On
Fury can look at his first bout against Chisora as a fine road map to a win, but he should be wary of a more motivated, in-shape opponent this time around—although it should be noted that Fury himself wasn't in tip-top shape either that night.
In the first bout, Fury used his distinct reach advantage—85" to Chisora's 74"—to prevent Chisora from moving forward with impunity. Any time his opponent tried to close down the distance, there was a clean jab waiting for him.
This should work just as well in the next fight, Fury is quite agile for a leviathan, but utilizing his own slimmed down frame as an excuse to score more points early is not a bad strategy. Fury has great punching power and should try his best to rattle Chisora early on, which might perhaps draw his opponent into heavier exchanges and tire him out.
Fury's talented enough to keep his opponent at bay in the later rounds. American heavyweight Eddie Chambers noted Fury's myriad abilities, which should serve him well even if Chisora wants to box a bit more than brawl. Via Ring Magazine's Tom Gray:
"Tyson, for me, is just more versatile. He’s huge but carries the qualities of a smaller man. He can box, move around, jab on the outside, use uppercuts on the inside, and that’s impressive. Tyson can do things someone half his size can’t do and he isn’t restricted by his dimensions. That versatility gives him the ability to control fights, particularly against smaller opponents.
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Any lost weight probably won't have as much of an effect on his rock-hard chin as Chisora seems to think it might. Fury should win this bout due to his cleverness and punching power, but Chisora will likely make sure the two fighters go the distance yet again.
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