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Anthony Joshua to spar Dereck Chisora in preparation for Andy Ruiz rematch

The 35-year-old is heading to Sheffield to bank some valuable rounds with Joshua ahead of his own fight with David Price

Declan Taylor
Friday 11 October 2019 14:58 BST
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Joshua vs Ruiz 2 Press Conference

Dereck Chisora has revealed that he will travel to Sheffield next week in order to spar former world heavyweight champion and fellow Brit Anthony Joshua.

Chisora takes on late stand-in David Price at the O2 Arena on October 26 meaning next week will be his last few days of heavy training before he tapers down during fight week.

And the 35-year-old says it will now involve a trip to the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield to bank some valuable rounds with Joshua.

The London 2012 Olympic gold medalist is also currently in camp ahead of his crucial rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr, who relieved him of the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden in June.

“I am going to go and see him next week,” Chisora said of Joshua. “He has asked me a couple of times but I have been too busy but next week I will go and see him.

“We will go straight into sparring. He is tall like Price and I am short like Ruiz

“I will just be going in and out, no staying in Sheffield in hotels, that’s why my manager David Haye is here to organise, in and out.”

Chisora and Joshua are both graduates of the famed Finchley ABC in north London but they have never crossed paths in the ring.

Now Haye believes the pair can help each other out as they prepare for two very distinct styles.

Haye said: “For both of their respective fights they are ideal sparring partners, no one could mimic Ruiz’s relentless come-forward pressure like Derek.

“And if anyone can reproduce Price’s long-range jab and move style, which AJ will need to adopt to win the rematch, it is Del.

“Derek is in shape and blasted 10 rounds out on Thursday, even if he just gets six to eight rounds with AJ done, it will be good preparation for him and for AJ.”

Despite being managed by Haye, Zimbabwe-born Chisora is currently training himself after an amicable split with former coach Dave Coldwell before this camp started.

He has also had to deal with a change of opponent after first choice Joseph Parker was forced to withdraw due to a spider bite.

Joshua is looking to regain his world titles 

Even so, Chisora has revealed that he is planning to corner himself on fight night against Price.

He added: “To be honest with you, I’ll be doing my own corner. David said I have to get a coach but, nah, I don’t want a coach.

“I’ve been boxing for years, I know how to train myself, just write the programme and follow it myself.

“That’s what we’re doing right now and that’s what we will be doing on fight night.”

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