Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora rematch confirmed for December 22 at The O2 Arena
It will be almost two years to the day when Whyte secured a split decision win against his Brit rival
DILLIAN WHYTE and Dereck Chisora's rematch has finally been agreed for December 22 at The O2 in London.
The date will mark just over two years since their epic Fight of the Year contender at Manchester Arena.
Whyte edged out Chisora via a controversial split decision after 12 relentless rounds of brutal action.
Since that night, Brixton’s Whyte has gone from strength to strength, and now finds himself on the cusp of World title action after big wins over Australia’s Lucas Browne and New Zealand’s Joseph Parker.
Whyte destroyed Browne with a devastating sixth round KO in March before dropping and outpointing former WBO Champion Parker in a gruelling contest at The O2 in July.
Finchley star Chisora has been gunning for a rematch with ‘The Bodysnatcher’ ever since their first memorable meeting and finally gets the chance to avenge his loss against the WBC Silver Champion in an eagerly-anticipated Christmas cracker.
A rejuvenated Chisora is back on the world title hunt after sensationally stopping former Carlos Takam in eight rounds on the undercard of Whyte’s clash with Parker at The O2 in July.
Chisora, now managed by old foe David Haye, has long maintained that he did enough to beat Whyte in their first meeting.
And he has promised to take it out of the judges’ hands by knocking out Whyte when they meet again in December.
Chisora said: “On Saturday, December 22, you will all witness exactly what ‘WAR’ Chisora is about.
“I’m not messing, I’m not playing at boxing. Dillian has spent the last two years avoiding getting back in the ring with me.
"He knows exactly what it feels like to go toe-to-toe with me. For the next seven weeks he will have sleepless nights knowing what he has finally signed up to.
"His last couple of opponents didn’t come for battle, they didn’t even put heat on Dillian, on December 22 I’m coming to burn him up!
“I was cheated in our first fight by the judges, everyone knows that I was the true victor.
This time I have a score to settle, Dillian won’t be hearing the final bell to be saved by the judges.
"I will be stepping in the ring a different fighter. I have everything to prove and it all to lose.
"‘Del Boy’ is no more, ‘WAR’ Chisora doesn’t cut corners, he doesn’t skip sessions, he doesn’t look for the easy option.
"I’m in the gym every day pushing my body to its limit. I’m in complete control of my destiny, December 22 will be WAR.”
But Whyte is adamant the rematch gives him the chance to retire Chisora for good.
He said: “This is going to be the donkey’s final destination. This will be Chisora’s last fight, the donkey’s last ride.
"I think that he needs to really have a good think about taking this fight because he’s going to be heading home after the fight looking like he’s been run over by a truck.
"I believe that I’ll knock him out in devastating fashion this time. Last time was my first 12 rounder and I was a little bit inexperienced but this time I’ll know exactly what to do.
"He’s at the end of the road.
“This is heavyweight boxing and you never know what’s around the corner, but I’ve done what I need to do to secure a shot at a world title.
"There’s always something getting in the way, other fights being made or money and politics ruining things, but after I finish Chisora nobody can deny me my shot.”