Former contender for the world heavyweight title (over 90.7 kg) Briton Derek Chisora (32-12, 23 KOs) talked to a local news portal.
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interview Chisora, who has extensive experience of defeats, expressed his opinion about the possible loss of his fellow countryman, the former holder of three titles Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) in a rematch with the unified IBF / WBO / WBA champion Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KO). Recall that Derek himself is scheduled to fight against the Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev (29-2, 14 KOs) on July 9 in London (England).
– Kubrat Pulev believes that Usyk will knock out Joshua this time. What do you think of his thoughts?
– I’ll tell you something. If Joshua gets knocked out, it’s good for him. If he loses on points, it’s bad for him. If he loses on points, he will beat himself up for the next 20 years. But if he gets knocked out – I’m knocked out, I can’t do anything about it, I was knocked out in the 5th round, but if I got to the sixth, then I would knock him out.
You have to understand, when I was knocked out with Dillian Whyte last time, I didn’t complain. Did you hear me complain? No. I fucking got knocked out. I tried to get to my feet – but no, buddy, stay the f***ing there. We, as fighters, miss, and he hit me well. I say, “Ref, you won’t let me get up.” And he’s like, “Derek, you’re out.” In boxing, if you get knocked out, that’s the best way to go. But I think Usyk can only knock him out in the later rounds. In the first six or eight rounds, he does not knock him out. Joshua can knock him out.
“You will definitely see another Joshua. Anthony’s coaches talked about preparing for Usyk
Everyone has their own opinion, but how should Joshua approach the fight? You say that if he gets knocked out, that means he did his part to at least try to win this fight.
“If he tries and misses, there’s nothing wrong with that. But if he doesn’t try and gets knocked out, people will say, “What the hell?” Do you understand? If Joshua had beaten Usyk boxing last summer, we wouldn’t have these conversations. Joshua would be said to be Muhammad Ali. Do you understand? He tried (to box). It worked at times, but it didn’t work in the last fight. But there is nothing wrong here. Trying is amazing. Try to do things. I’m trying to switch to left-handedness, although I’m not good at it, but it always works [смеётся]. Do you understand? So there is nothing wrong here. He tried, it didn’t work, he went back to analysis and realized that he needed to forget all this nonsense – to go out and just apply force to this guy. That’s all.
What do you think of his work with Robert Garcia?
– Excellent. Good for them. 100%. You need to change. The changes will do you good.
Could such a change in a short period of time affect a fight at this stage in Joshua’s career?
– Yes. Depends if you want to study. If you want to learn, you’ll come to the gym, throw everything off yourself and say, “I’m here to learn.” And from now on, you will learn. But if you come and say that you will not do this, nothing will come of it. You have to be a humble servant – I don’t care who I am, I’m not Anthony Joshua now, I’m here to learn. I know Joshua and he’s damn obedient and he’s learning.
I heard you made comments about Joshua and the students…
“I would come and fuck them, and then rob them.” Yes. 100%. I don’t take back my words. Hook me when I’m walking peacefully and try to load me up? What are you smoking, buddy? I have a lot of acquaintances around your house who will beat you and then rob you. This is a simple fact. There is no point in trying to somehow smooth it out. I am who I am. I am very calm with everyone. I love everyone, no matter what race, religion – no matter if you are bisexual or not. You are my people and I don’t care. But don’t insult me. If you don’t like me and you know what you’re doing, you can come up to me and say, “You know, Derek, I like you, but I really don’t like your boxing. But, you know, it’s nice to meet you.” And I: “Thank you very much, go n*****!”. Do you understand? But don’t try to scream out the window and upset me, because I will upset you even more than you think.