Tyson Fury vs. Dereck Chisora 2: Live Stream, Odds and Projected Winner
Undefeated heavyweight contender Tyson Fury (22-0, 16 KO) has turned away every challenger throughout his career, including former title challenger Dereck Chisora (20-4, 13 KO), but he will be tested once again Saturday by that very same fighter.
Fury won the last fight between these two boxers by unanimous decision in 2011, but Chisora is a better conditioned and more prepared fighter than the last time around.
With that in mind, here is a look at the essential information for Saturday's bout between the United Kingdom's top two heavyweights.
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When: Saturday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: ExCel Arena in London
TV: BoxNation
Live Stream: BoxNation (subscription required, region restricted)
Odds: Tyson Fury -250, Dereck Chisora +187, via Odds Shark, as of Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET
Fury won that first match in convincing fashion by scores of 118-111, 117-112 and 117-112, although Chisora came into that fight about 20 pounds heavier than his usual fighting weight. That lack of conditioning certainly played a role, even though Chisora had some momentum in Round 10 before losing control against the better-prepared Fury.
This rematch takes on more importance than the first bout because the winner will likely get a shot at world champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Fury discussed that possibility, via Dan Rafael of ESPN.com: "It's no secret that I want Klitschko once he stops running from me. He knows that his reign is on borrowed time. Once Chisora is dealt with, then I'll do everything in my power to get Klitschko in the ring."
All Fury has done since that first fight with Chisora is win his next seven fights, even though he was tested by Steve Cunningham. In fact, Fury was knocked down in that fight and had to battle back from a near stoppage in the second round. To Fury's credit, he tallied a seventh-round knockout in that comeback.
Fury's biggest advantage against Chisora will be the same as his biggest advantage in every fight. Fury's reach, per Boxrec, is 85" compared to Chisora's 74". With that type of reach advantage, Fury can physically impose his will on almost any opponent, and that will undoubtedly be the strategy again Saturday.
As long as Fury uses that reach advantage and avoids crouching down and neutralizing it, he can avoid Chisora's powerful attacks. It is impossible to really land any blows on Fury when he is keeping his opponent at arm's edge with that ridiculous reach.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated is ready for Fury to be a household name in the boxing world:
As for Chisora, he went in something of a downward spiral after that original loss to Fury with three straight losses. However, Chisora re-dedicated himself to his craft, got in better shape and won five in a row after that losing streak to earn another shot at Fury.
Chisora's improved conditioning is critical because he is an athletic fighter who likes to take an aggressive approach and go on the offensive. Of course, that is easier said than done against someone with the reach of Fury, but that will be the strategy.
The downside to that aggression, though, is that he opens himself up to counterattacks when the sometimes-inaccurate flurries don't land. Fury can size up Chisora's style in the first few rounds and then try to time those attacks and counter them with blows of his own.
If Chisora is going to win, he needs to find a way inside that extensive reach to land some body shots early and often. Chisora may be better off physically mauling Fury instead of getting into a technical exhibition that brings counterattacks into the equation.
While Chisora is a much better fighter than he was in the first matchup, that reach advantage from Fury is simply unfair. There is a reason he is undefeated and deserves a shot at Klitschko.
It will prove too difficult for Chisora to consistently establish his aggressive attack when he is kept at bay by Fury's extension. Fury will then find the perfect time in the middle rounds to go on the offensive and take control of the fight.
What's more, there should be plenty of motivation for Fury with a potential showdown against Klitschko on the horizon.
The rematch will end with similar scores as the first bout.
Prediction: Fury wins by decision.
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