Dereck Chisora Chides Eddie Hearn- “You Sold Your Soul to Russians”

In the final press conference for Saturday night’s Heavyweight contender showdown between former Undisputed Cruiserweight title holder Oleksandr Usyk and British hard-punching veteran Dereck Chisora, the always colorful and controversial Chisora got off a couple of playful insults on Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn.

Sitting on the dais right beside each other in chairs Thursday, the 36 year old Chisora made light of the fact that he believes he hasn’t gotten a “fair shake” in the past from Hearn. And, he’s concerned about it again, when going against the unbeaten Ukrainian former Olympic Gold Medalist,

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“I know for a fact that when I hit him (Usyk), he’s gonna know that he’s been hit.

All I’m asking from you Eddie,” Chisora said smiling. “Is that I need a fair referee, and fair judges. That’s what I’m asking. I don’t want to be bamboozled.

My last time what happened with Dillian Whyte: You bought a judge. He took points off me (for low blows and an elbow), and I thought I was behind. And, lost the shape of my fight.

So, I just asking to be fair. I get Oleksandr is your boy…but you sold your soul to the Russians…you forgot your boys in Britain.”

That’s a reference to rumors of Hearn being indebted heavily to Russian investors for the financial survival of Matchroom’s business.

Hearn responded somewhat surprised, but smiling, “Certainly, all officials and the referee are appointed by the British Boxing Board of Control and not Matchroom Boxing…You can make that point at the rules meeting. You’re the home fighter here, the British fighter here and I’m sure it’ll be fair.”

Chisora is making reference to his December 2018 rematch with his fellow English heavyweight Contender, Whyte. That’s where Chisora was fighting a very competitive fight, but was deducted a point in the eighth for repeated low blows. And then, with his conditioning fading in the 11th round, he was again deducted a point for throwing an elbow.

Whyte knocked him out with a devastating left hook a short time later.

Usyk, 17-0, 13 KOs, won his first heavyweight bout last October against 38-year-old last-second replacement, Chazz Witherspoon in Chicago by 7th round TKO. He previously won the Undisputed  Crusierweight World title and the “World Boxing Super Series” tournament and by defeating Russian Murat Gassiev by decision, also, in July of 2018.

Chisora is 32-9 and hasn’t won a really significant fight, since Whyte knocked him out, but his still a big puncher that hopes to pose a threat against the WBO’s #1 contender in the O2 Arena in London.