‘I guarantee I’ll stop him’ – Derek Chisora vows to smash Kubrat Pulev like Anthony Joshua did ahead of July fight
DEREK CHISORA has ignited a war of words with Kubrat Pulev ahead of next month's blockbuster heavyweight rematch, saying: I guarantee I'll stop him.
The pair first fought in 2016, when Bulgarian star Pulev, 41, edged to a narrow points victory in Germany.
Chisora, 38, goes into the July 9 fight at The O2 off the back of three straight decision defeats against Joseph Parker, twice, and Oleksandr Usyk.
But he was in optimistic mood at Friday's press conference in London as he vowed to smash his old rival.
Pulev kicked off the press conference in humble manner, saying: “I want to say to Derek: I have respect for him.
"He always takes difficult opponents like me and his last three fights, and he’s not scared to fight with anybody.
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“I take this fight because I’m ready. My last fight against Jerry Forrest was a similar style to Derek Chisora, it was like one big sparring [session] for me.
"He didn’t hurt me, he couldn’t do a lot against me, and I just won easily.
“Derek is a difficult opponent. My fight against Joshua here in London, I was not prepared... no sparring, nothing. Before that I had Covid.
"I’m a very good boxer, technically I’m amazing, conditioning, also. I have everything.
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"I’m here to fight against my friend, Derek. I’m confident about this fight and after that: a world title. This is my dream, and I’m gonna take it.”
But Chisora was quick to hit back, saying: "This guy’s strategy with AJ didn’t really work out well, did it?”
“I sell a product, and that product is war.
“Come July 9, it’s gonna be Round 13 – where we left off.
"I’m gonna eat his leather, and I’m gonna deliver my leather.
"I’ll stop him. I guarantee I’ll stop him.”
'TALK, TALK, TALK'
Pulev took exception to the claim, replying: “With what? How? It’s just talk, we need to see something real.
"I guarantee this is talk, talk, talk... how can he guarantee that?"
Chisora explained: “I’m gonna give you a jab, a right hand, and you’re gonna drop on the floor.
“What is the plan? I don’t know. Where’s the road leading? I don’t know. What’s the agenda? For me, my fans are my plan – entertainment.
“I’ve still got the hunger for it, I’ve got these younger guys coming in the gym, sparring with me, and I see the fear in their eyes in round three, round four.
";I still want to cause damage to people, I still want to entertain.”
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But Pulev shrugged off the big talk, saying: “He doesn’t have a plan.
“He just wants respect. Good, we need some people like that. But sometimes you need strategy.”