Dillian Whyte edged out bitter rival Dereck Chisora via a split decision to win an enthralling heavyweight battle at the Manchester Arena. The three judges at ringside scored the bout 114-115, 115-113 and 115-114 respectively in a fight which could have gone either way.
Despite the bad blood following the pre-fight press conference in which Chisora was fined £25,000 and given a 2 years suspended sentence from the British Board of Control for throwing a table, the pair produced a potential fight of the year contest.
Chisora started off the more bullish, marching across the ring from the opening bell and unloading powerful hooks downstairs on the self-proclaimed ‘Body Snatcher.’ Whyte though countered the onslaught with the jab and a couple of left hooks of his own in a round where both men scored with heavy artillery.
The 2nd round followed a similar pattern with Chisora marauding forward and having huge success up close as he backed Whyte up against the ropes on several occasions. Whilst the man from Brixton attempted to counter, the sheer volume of pressure from ‘Del Boy’ probably edged him the round. Chisora’s work rate and success with a big looping left hand also gave him the 3rd.
After a quiet 4th round which Whyte won due to the crisper shots landed, the fight caught fire in the 5th. Chisora rocked Whyte with a lead left hook and an over hand right as he went looking for the finish. However, the physical exertion of the session had visibly taken its toll on Chisora as Whyte was let back into the round and finished the stronger.
Whyte landed a hurtful left hook at the start of the 6th and took the 7th with the greater scoring shots as the sapping nature of the fight was starting to drain both men.
Toe to toe action then ensued in the last minute of the 8th with Chisora getting the better of the exchanges after connecting with a thunderous left hook and several overhand rights. Whyte did well to stay on his feet and even summoned the strength to land a power shot just after the bell.
The British heavyweight champion then produced the cleaner work in the 9th with body shots but Chisora answered back in the 10th with a big right hand and an uppercut.
As the fight entered the championship rounds the bout was still up for grabs. A left uppercut and greater volume of punches from Whyte won him the 11th whilst the last saw the two swinging from the hips looking for one last telling shot.
Upon hearing the result from legendary MC Michael Buffer, there were no complaints from anyone at ringside. Both men deserve credit after the unsavoury build up in what was one of the most absorbing heavyweight contests for many years.
Article courtesy of Neel Khagram @BehindtheFight
www.behindthefight.com
Despite the bad blood following the pre-fight press conference in which Chisora was fined £25,000 and given a 2 years suspended sentence from the British Board of Control for throwing a table, the pair produced a potential fight of the year contest.
Chisora started off the more bullish, marching across the ring from the opening bell and unloading powerful hooks downstairs on the self-proclaimed ‘Body Snatcher.’ Whyte though countered the onslaught with the jab and a couple of left hooks of his own in a round where both men scored with heavy artillery.
The 2nd round followed a similar pattern with Chisora marauding forward and having huge success up close as he backed Whyte up against the ropes on several occasions. Whilst the man from Brixton attempted to counter, the sheer volume of pressure from ‘Del Boy’ probably edged him the round. Chisora’s work rate and success with a big looping left hand also gave him the 3rd.
After a quiet 4th round which Whyte won due to the crisper shots landed, the fight caught fire in the 5th. Chisora rocked Whyte with a lead left hook and an over hand right as he went looking for the finish. However, the physical exertion of the session had visibly taken its toll on Chisora as Whyte was let back into the round and finished the stronger.
Whyte landed a hurtful left hook at the start of the 6th and took the 7th with the greater scoring shots as the sapping nature of the fight was starting to drain both men.
Toe to toe action then ensued in the last minute of the 8th with Chisora getting the better of the exchanges after connecting with a thunderous left hook and several overhand rights. Whyte did well to stay on his feet and even summoned the strength to land a power shot just after the bell.
The British heavyweight champion then produced the cleaner work in the 9th with body shots but Chisora answered back in the 10th with a big right hand and an uppercut.
As the fight entered the championship rounds the bout was still up for grabs. A left uppercut and greater volume of punches from Whyte won him the 11th whilst the last saw the two swinging from the hips looking for one last telling shot.
Upon hearing the result from legendary MC Michael Buffer, there were no complaints from anyone at ringside. Both men deserve credit after the unsavoury build up in what was one of the most absorbing heavyweight contests for many years.
Article courtesy of Neel Khagram @BehindtheFight
www.behindthefight.com
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