Dereck Chisora wants to 'smash' Edmund Gerber for shot at world title

DERECK CHISORA aims to land the European heavyweight crown tonight – and then have another crack at a world title.

By Kevin Francis  -  dailystar.co.uk

Chisora meets Germany’s Edmund Gerber at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Olympic Park with his eyes set on a clash with either of the Klitschko brothers.

Dereck Chisora (right) and Edmund Gerber (left) with promoter Frank Warren ahead of their European title fight

They are the dominant force in the division, with Wladimir Klitschko having four world titles (IBF, WBO, WBA, IBO) and brother Vitali holding the WBC belt.

Chisora, 29, said: “Beating Gerber will take me a step closer to them. I know I can win this bout and then move towards another world title shot.”

Chisora lost to Vitali in February last year on an infamous night which ended with a post-fight brawl with David Haye.

It resulted in the British Boxing Board of Control withdrawing his licence.

Now, after anger management and the return of his licence, Chisora says he is in the right frame of mind.

He said: “Nothing is going to stop me winning the European title. “I’m fit, lean and mean, and ready to do the business. Gerber is a good fighter but he’s not in my class. I am far superior.

“I really want to do a job on him, really smash him up and show that I deserve a shot at the Klitschkos. That is my aim.

“The titles are great. Winning the European will mean I’ve won the big three along with the British and Commonwealth, but the world title is the one I want.”

Chisora has lost four of his 21 professional fights with Gerber tasting defeat just once in 24 contests – and he is relishing the chance of tackling the Londoner.

Gerber, 25, said: “Chisora only knows one gear. The key to beating him is simple: impress him with your punching power and looseness. Over the rounds, he then will run out of ideas. And when he starts risking too much, I will knock his lights out.

“I feel more than ready and want to take the next step in my career.

“This is the chance I have been waiting for.

“Now it is time to take this big opportunity. My whole team is confident that I will beat Chisora and so am I.”

Gerber is expecting a hostile atmosphere at the Copper Box, but added: “I will take no notice of them.

“In fact, they can boo me as loud as they want. At the end of it all, it will be me who will be holding the European belt and it will be the crowd who will be stunned into silence.”

PREDICTION: I’m taking Chisora to wear Gerber down and win with a stoppage around the eighth.

■ CHISORA v Gerber is the co-main event to the Billy Joe Saunders v John Ryder British middleweight contest on BoxNation from 7pm on Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546. Join at www.boxnation.com

Source:  www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/in-the-ring/340001/Dereck-Chisora-wants-to-smash-Edmund-Gerber-for-shot-at-world-title