Warren: Third Time Lucky We Hope Against Klitschko

By Jake Donovan

As long as Vitali Klitschko plans to continue fighting, promoter Frank Warren has every intention of finding a heavyweight that can beat him.

Their brief business conducted together was referenced during the recent press conference in London to promote the elder Klitschko’s upcoming February 18 heavyweight title defense in Munich, Germany against charismatic challenger Dereck Chisora. The bout will air live on Boxnation TV in the U.K.

“In the past, Vitali has fought two fights (against) us,” Warren brought up in his opening statement during Monday’s presser. “He won his first world title in 1999, beating Herbie Hide. A few years later, he fought Danny Williams in the United States (in Dec. ’04).

“We hope it’s third time lucky, though I’m sure it will be.”

The fight comes about after Chisora came up short in a highly controversial points loss to rising contender Robert Helenius last month in Finland. Most observers – including the entire broadcast team for EPIX, which aired the bout – had Chisora winning with plenty of room to spare.

Two of the three judges felt different, as the Brit landed on the wrong side of a split decision verdict.

The shot at Klitschko is boxing’s way of righting that horrible wrong, and Chisora has no plans of squandering the opportunity.

“He doesn’t know what’s coming, that’s the whole point,” Chisora said, speaking to the perception of Klitschko being heavily favored and perhaps taking him lightly. “I told Helenius ‘I’m coming for you, just make sure you’re ready.’ He thought I was lying. I’m physically coming to take what’s mine.”

The fight itself is additional redemption for Chisora, who saw two separate attempts at a shot at younger brother Wladimir Klitschko both fall through due to injury. On both occasions, the lineal heavyweight champion moved on to other opponents, leaving Chisora in the cold.

With the younger Klitschko eyeing a rescheduled stay busy fight against Jean-Marc Mormeck, big brother Vitali was more than happy to take on Chisora in the wake of last month’s robbery in Finland.

While Chisora’s credentials as a heavyweight title contender have been called into question, Klitschko is well aware that he’s catching his opponent at his most confident.

This fact certainly isn’t lost on Chisora’s promoter, who jumped at the opportunity to secure the fight.

“Like I always say, if confidence wins fights then Dereck is already halfway there.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com