Can Kevin Johnson throw a wrench in the plans for a Fury vs Chisora rematch stadium fight?
By Chris Carlson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 14 Feb 2014
This Saturday night from the Copper Box Arena in London Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury will be featured in stay busy fights on Box Nation.
Ok so maybe that's not how long time U.K. promoter Frank Warren would want it phrased but that's exactly what this card is and for those who are hardcore enough (or just bored) it will be televised here in the states by Intergrated Sports with an asking price starting at 24.99.
I can hardly blame any boxing fan for not wanting to put his or hers hard earned duckets down for this PPV.
It's worth mentioning that in the past Intergrated Sports have at least tried to put on entertaining undercard fights to make up for a non pay per view worthy main event or co-features in this case.
Pairing two known fighters on the same card in different fights is par for the course to help build anticipation for a future matchup.
What makes this prelude to a big fight card different is that the two main attractions have already met in the ring having put on a good show for heavyweights back in the summer of 2011.
This time around it will or could be bigger, much bigger and all the only obstacle that stands in their way is two men one named Joey Abell from my neck of the woods in Minnesota and the other is the well tested Kevin Johnson.
Plans are made all the time in everyday life and just like in the real world plans can be changed and rearranged at the drop of a hat.
In boxing terms that translates to landing a punch that reveres ones fortune in a round or a fight. Something as simple as an accidental clash of heads can make the best laid plans go to the waste side quickly.
For Tyson Fury Saturday night should be like taking a stroll in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. I'm kidding of course but Joey Abell who has been stopped in three of his last five fights and was last seen getting finished in the 5th round in December by heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev, should be a easy win for Tyson Fury.
I suppose there?s the let down factor from the mega fight that he and the loyal U.K. fans missed out on when it fell apart in the late stages due to David Haye pulling out of yet another big fight from injury.
Tyson could have his eyes on the summer stadium event and make what should be routine in to a long night. Fury however has seem to change his training habits and really taken his career seriously I would be surprised if Tyson came in unfocused.
Staying focused on training is a perfect topic to segway into whom else but Dereck Chisora. A man who in his biggest fight at that point in his brief pro career showed up north of 260 at the weigh in and still managed to put up a good fight.
Chisora broke on to the world scene in the summer of 2011 in a fight that pit him up against a U.K. rival Tyson Fury. He fought hard with the extra weight playing a major factor in the defeat.
I say world scene truthfully almost 3 years ago the battle didn't take place at the world level but it was a highly visible domestic fight that saw both men gain afterwards.
Tyson Fury has made progress as a fighter in and out of the ring while Dereck Chisora has faced the top levels of the sport showing his fighter spirit versus Vitali Klitschko and two other names that aren't far behind in David Haye, who destroyed him also losing split decision to Robert Helenius.
After 3 straight losses 2013 was about rebuilding his career and body. The last 4 fights Chisora has averaged around 240 and the difference is clear.
He got in shape with a few touch ups before facing American heavyweight Malik Scott who had a shiny record with no real names.
His performance was uneven yet he remained busy enough with pressure to break the jab and will of Scott. By now we have all seen Malik Scott getting up before the referee counted to 10, yet in the end it probably wouldn't have mattered.
In, comes Kevin Johnson a man that has never been one to shy away from cockiness in the lead up for a fight. Johnson has faced a Klitschko brother, Tyson Fury, and even with major stakes on the line he managed to stink up the joint with little to no action making Joshua Clottey look like the second coming of Leo Santa Cruz.
I give credit for the defensive abilities that Kevin Johnson posses but I don't give him a very good chance to win this fight on the road with only a jab to win rounds with.
He could use his extremely long arms creating a huge reach advantage over the aggressor in Chisora.
Will a jab and hold strategy without work rate and clean power punches be enough in London I highly doubt it. He could be awkward enough causing Chisora to lose his patience and reach badly resulting in bad misses and counter attacks.
I think Dereck Chisora will remain patient enough to find the holes in Johnson defense to get an ugly win. Early and mid round body work will be the key to unlocking the head for Chisora.
My official predictions are Tyson Fury by 7 KO and Dereck Chisora by late T.K.O. or UD.
If everything goes as planned the U.K. will get two stadium fights this summer. Fury vs. Chisora 2 and Froch vs. Groves 2 is music to my ears and a testament to some of the best boxing fans in the world.
Written by Chris Carlson Owner and Host of Rope A Dope Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio. Follow Chris on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio & http://ropeadoperadio.wordpress.com/
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.
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