Derek Chisora has urged boxing authorities to put the historic Lord Lonsdale belt on the line when Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua go head-to-head in Cardiff on December 11.
The all-British heavyweight clash at the Principality Stadium is expected to attract huge global attention, with Netflix set to broadcast the contest. The World Boxing Association has already approved its vacant “super” heavyweight championship as the prize for the encounter.
Chisora, however, feels the British championship would be a more meaningful reward for the two former world champions.
Addressing an International Boxing Association conference in Turkey, the veteran argued that the 1909-established Lonsdale belt would better represent the domestic nature of the contest.
“It is a British fight between two heavyweights from Britain. I believe they should be fighting for the Lonsdale belt. It is better than any other belt right now,” Chisora said.
“It is better because there is no British champion number two, there is only one on the belt, and that is it. There are not five belts or this and that. You have got the WBC Silver, WBC Africa. It is nonsense, man, it is nonsense.”
Richard Riakpohre currently owns the British heavyweight crown, while Joshua, Fury and Chisora have each previously held the domestic championship.
Chisora also played down suggestions that the December encounter could lead to a second meeting. According to him, the punishment suffered by either boxer could make an immediate return to the ring unlikely.
He said the defeated fighter “is not going to fight for a while” because “that guy is going to see a therapist”.
The veteran was equally emphatic about the possibility of a rematch, saying, “If AJ wins this fight, he is not doing a rematch. If Tyson Fury wins this fight, he is not doing a rematch.”
Chisora knows both men well. Fury has beaten him three times in the ring, while Chisora previously helped guide Joshua during the latter’s amateur days at Finchley Amateur Boxing Club.
His prediction for the upcoming encounter is nevertheless clear, with the former British champion expecting Joshua to end the fight inside the distance.
“I told AJ if you are trying to box this guy, it is a long night. And AJ is going to knock him. AJ is going to knock Fury out,” he said.
Fury entered the proposed showdown after defeating Mariusz Wach in July, while Joshua also secured a stoppage victory over Kristian Prenga during the same month.
Chisora is not finished pursuing major opportunities himself, as discussions are reportedly underway for him to face WBA “regular” champion Murat Gassiev in December.
