Derek Chisora has denied his fight with Tyson Fury is set to be announced - despite a deal being close.
The 'Gypsy King' was expected to meet Anthony Joshua on December 3 after sending a contract to his rival for an unexpected title shot. However the fight collapsed w ith 'AJ' missing the deadline, which saw heavyweight rival Chisora made a new offer for the same date.
Fury had already claimed he offered Chisora £2million to accept the trilogy fight earlier this year, which Chisora promptly rejected and Fury moved on to a potential clash with Joshua. Reports have indicated the fight with 'WAR' is now close to being agreed with paperwork to be signed before the event is announced.
However the 38-year-old has since moved to deny knowledge of the fight being on the brink of completion insisting that the reports are just speculation. “No I’m not. I’m serious. I’m not. I’m not,” Chisora told iFL TV when asked if he will indeed be taking on Fury in December. "It’s rumours. It’s like someone says he’s been cheating on his wife. Is he cheating on his wife? No it’s a rumour. I haven’t been sent nothing. Nothing. I don’t know [if I want it]. No I haven't been negotiating anything. I don't know, would you like to see it?"
Despite Chisora's claim, the fight is expected to take place on December 3 but a new venue is set to replace the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Fury will put his WBC title on the line for the first time since successfully defending his belt against Dillian Whyte in April.
Fury announced his retirement but later elected to make a U-turn and return to the ring, with Chisora seen as a perfect opponent in preparation for any undisputed test against Oleksandr Usyk next year. Fury rekindled his feud with Chisora after declaring the pair were no longer friends following Chisora's bet that Whyte would knock him out.
Who wins if the pair meet - Tyson Fury or Derek Chisora? Let us know in the comments section below
Fury insisted he would be willing to fight Chisora and made an offer according to promoter Eddie Hearn which initially failed to materialise. However after a new offer arrived following the collapse of the showdown with Joshua, it appears the meeting will now take place despite Chisora being in the twilight years of his career.
The champion will go into the contest as the overwhelming favourite given his previous two wins over Chisora as well as his undefeated record. But Fury believes Chisora will be just as dangerous as undisputed champion Usyk when the pair meet.
"In my opinion, Chisora at least got a draw with Usyk," Fury said. "So I see Chisora every bit as dangerous as Usyk – if it is Chisora [that I fight]. Fury said. "So Chisora is no pushover. If it is Chisora, he’s no pushover and if you’re not on you’re A game Derek will beat you to f***."
