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Dereck Chisora manages to keep his cool at press conference to announce Dillian Whyte fight

Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora face off ahead of their rematch. Photo credit: Sky Sports

Leading heavyweight contender Dillian ‘The Body Snatcher’ Whyte 24-1 (17) insists he holds no fear of rejuvenated warhorse Dereck ‘War’ Chisora 29-8 (21) ahead of their December 22 clash at London’s O2 Arena.

The fight is a rematch of their contentious 12-round battle two years ago that was won by Whyte by narrow split decision. The lead-up to that fight was marred by an outburst from an agitated Chisora who threw a table at Whyte at a presser – a move that cost him £30,000 and earned him a two-year suspended ban from boxing courtesy of the British Boxing Board of Control.

“You can’t intimidate me Dereck, I’m not scared. You threw a table and it didn’t bother me,” said Whyte at the London press conference to officially announce the fight on Wednesday.

“There’s not an ounce of fear here. I have a bit of respect, I’m an animal lover. I’ve already pushed on from the [Joseph] Parker fight.

“I’ll be very strong on the night, Dereck will look like roadkill after the fight.”

The 34-year-old Chisora, who surprised many with his eighth round TKO of Carlos Takam on the undercard of Whyte versus Joseph Parker in London last July, has won three of his last four fights since the controversial loss to Whyte in December 2016. His lone loss was a close majority decision to undefeated heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel in Monte Carlo a year ago.

“Everybody wanted the rematch but I wanted it more,” said Chisora of London. “He has opportunities [in his future] but I hold the golden key.

“We are not going to box. We are going to war. Seek and destroy.

“I’m a Born Again Christian but if he says the wrong thing, the table may be flipped!”

Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn said he couldn’t guarantee Chisora won’t lose his cool at some stage during the promotion before praising Whyte for taking on such a dangerous fight.

“It’s always mellow until Chisora loses his rag. I could just see his neck starting to go a couple of times,” said Hearn.

“Whyte deserves his credit, he wants to stake his claim for the [Anthony] Joshua fight. The public have been calling for this rematch for two years, it’s a massive risk.”

Brixton’s Whyte, 30, has won eight fights in a row since being stopped in seven by Anthony Joshua in a fight for the British and Commonwealth titles three years ago. This year he has already scored a close decision win over former WBO champion Joseph Parker and a knockout of the year contender against Lucas Browne.

“I had respect last time round. Sometimes Dereck just loses control a bit and explodes. I’m cool, I don’t start problems for no reason, but I will defend myself,” said Whyte.

“I don’t care about Joshua, that’s six months away, one bird in your hand is better than two in the bush. December is the here and now. It’s easy to overlook things and I try not to do that.

“The first fight was my first proper 12-rounder, I’ve learnt now and am experienced.”

The confident Whyte says he hold no fear of losing to Chisora as he seeks a rematch with Joshua for the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles.

“I’m in this game to give the fans proper fights, fights they will remember,” continued Whyte. “This time, I will definitely knock him out. He said he would knock me out last time, he tried his best but it wasn’t good enough…

“I can fight, I show up to fight and I’ll leave it in the ring. I’ve fought anyone and everyone, I’m not scared to take risks.”