When Tyson Fury comprehensively broke down Dereck Chisora in their second bout in November 2014, the defeated opponent on that occasion could not have envisgaed a third instalment for the world title eight years later.
However, that is what will materialise this weekend with Fury having chosen fellow Briton Chisora as his foe for what is supposed to be a tickover showdown ahead of an undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
While the WBC champion has been heavily criticised for not taking on a greater challenge in the latest defence of his crown, he will hope to put on a show before attempting to cement his name in the record books in the spring.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the background to the fight, which takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
FIRST TWO FIGHTS
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Of the previous two chapters of this rivalry, the opening bout was by far the more entertaining, the pair doing battle for the British and Commonwealth titles in July 2011.
Although Fury ultimately prevailed by scores of 117–112, 117–112 and 118–111 respectively, it is forgotten that Chisora was the bookmakers' favourite ahead of their Wembley Arena encounter.
Nevertheless, despite having his moments, Chisora was largely outclassed, and it was one-way traffic when they locked horns for a second time in November 2014.
Such was the manner of the beatdown that Frank Warren, Chisora's promoter at the time, stepped in to bring a halt to proceedings in an effort to save his man from further punishment.
Eight years later, Warren is now promoting a world title fight between the same opponents while on the side of Fury, yet Warren and Fury will argue that there is justification in choosing Chisora as the next man to try to dethrone unbeaten Fury.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE?
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Since suffering one of the more lop-sided defeats of his career, Chisora have reinvented himself to a certain degree, his two bouts with Dillian Whyte helping redeem himself with the public.
Chisora controversially lost the first fight and was within touching distance of winning the rematch before being brutally knocked out in the 11th round, while the veteran was competitive in each of his three defeats to Usyk and Joseph Parker (twice).
Among the setbacks have been some notable wins, including over Carlos Takam (2018), David Price (2019) and Kubrat Pulev (2022), but the most recent of those fights was an hellacious affair which can only have added miles to the clock.
Fury's trajectory is more familiar with the general public, the Mancunian shaking off the disappointment of a controversial draw with Deontay Wilder in December 2018 to stop the big-punching American in their following two tussles, each of the three fights bringing entertainment Stateside.
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The triumph over Whyte in April was far more one-sided, the mandatory challenger being decked by a right uppercut after having minimal success, and Fury has since retired before having a change of heart to pursue clashes with Usyk and Anthony Joshua.
Neither proved to be possible for this date, the pair in question only squaring off against each other on August 20, but they will be Fury's aim should he come through, as expected, on Saturday.
VENUE
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be playing host to a boxing event for just the second time having staged the first meeting between Joshua and Usyk in September 2021.
However, the ground is now experienced as a multi-sport facility, with NFL, rugby union and rugby league among the sports to have staged events at the venue alongside football.
With a capacity of 62,062, the stadium is also regarded as an attractive option for music events.
PREDICTION
While describing the outcome of this fight as a foregone conclusion would be disrespectful to Chisora, the lack of enthusiasm among boxing fans highlights how they feel things will transpire.
Such is the gulf in class that Fury should be able to dictate how this fight ends, yet the 34-year-old will also be wary of picking up cuts and injuries ahead of a potential early spring showdown with Usyk.
With that in mind, do not be surprised if Fury does what he can to get rid of Chisora in the early stages, and we can see a similar mid-fight finish like he delivered against Whyte.
Darren Plant
