Boxing Mad Magazine November 1st issue | Page 32

A x fter months of hype and anticipation, British fight fans were hit with a severe hammer blow. Tyson Fury vs Dereck Chisora was off, Chisora citing a broken hand sustained during training just over a week before fight night. The interest for the rematch was huge, but with the grudge match re-arranged, it is questionable at how much interest is being shown this time around, the build-up merry-go-round not quite taking off like it did 6 months ago. Compare it to setting a release date for the new iPhone, then changing that release date to later in the year. The excitement and anticipation would not quite be at the same magnitude the 2nd time around. Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr class on the undercard in a bout that is certainly drawing more headlines, and the week before Tony Bellew is set to take on Nathan Cleverly for a second time in a bitter rivalry – although at this time the fight is taking on the wrong kind of publicity with fans fuming at Eddie Hearn and Sky deciding to air the show on Sky Box Office. It’s easy to say now that the fight has lost its shine, but it still presents itself as a significant fight in the world Heavyweight scene, with the winner looking on the verge of a world title shot, being an eliminator for Wladimir Klitschko’s WBO Heavyweight crown. On the global scale this bout holds great significance. It seems pretty clear however that Tyson won’t have much to say – if anything – on the matter. Taping his mouth shut at the press conference to 032 NOVEMBER 2014 issue #14 issue #14 NOVEMBER 2014 033