Whyte knocks out Chisora, calls out Joshua
London, December 23
Dillian Whyte defeated Dereck Chisora for a second time after knocking out his fellow Brit in the 11th round of their heavyweight clash at the O2 Arena.
The two domestic rivals had produced a classic battle back in December 2016, Whyte prevailing on the scorecards after coming out on the right end of a split-decision verdict in Manchester. There was no need for the judges in the rematch, however, with Chisora laid out by a left hook that negated the need for referee Marcus McDonnell to even bother issuing a count.
The beaten fighter required medical attention while down on the canvas but was able to get back to his feet before being receiving further treatment in his corner.
Defeat will hurt more than the left hook for Chisora, who had played his part in another enthralling battle between the two big men, often setting the pace as he barrelled forward in the hope of catching his foe. While wild at times, his looping hooks to both body — albeit often on the borderline of being legal — and head caused Whyte problems as the pair quickly picked up again from their previous meeting.
Chisora lost a point in the eighth for low blows and official McDonnell took another away in the 11th for using an elbow during a clinch. Whyte then capitalised on an opening to land a short, sharp left that landed flush on Chisora’s chin, allowing the 30-year-old to settle the rivalry in style with an 18th knockout in 26 bouts.
The eye-catching triumph leaves the former British champion well positioned for a shot at WBC holder Deontay Wilder in 2019, while he was also quick to call out former foe Anthony Joshua, who holds the IBF, WBA and WBO belts. — AFP
Boxer Stevenson awake after three weeks in coma, girlfriend says
Canadian boxer Adonis Stevenson has regained consciousness after three weeks in a coma following a December 1 knockout loss, his girlfriend said on Saturday. Simone “Sisi” God said in a statement posted on Twitter that the Haiti-born 41-year-old is awake. “Despite recent reports being leaked to media, I wanted to clarify that Adonis is awake,” God said. “He is healing from his injury in the company of his family and his dedicated medical team.” Boxing promoter Yvon Michel had told reporters on Thursday that the light heavyweight boxer remained unconscious. But his girlfriend said “Adonis is spending time enjoying music.” The former light-heavyweight world champion was taken to hospital for treatment after a knockout loss to Oleksandr Gvozdyk of Ukraine in Quebec City. He had defended his title nine times since 2013 before the loss. AFP
