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As it happenedended

Dillian Whyte knocks out Dereck Chisora in the eleventh round to tee up Anthony Joshua rematch

Relive all the eleven epic rounds of action from the O2 Arena

Adam Hamdani
O2 Arena
,Tom Kershaw
Saturday 22 December 2018 18:52 EST
Comments
Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora face off in final press conference

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Dillian Whyte has moved into contention for a rematch with Anthony Joshua after winning his grudge match with Dereck Chisora by devastatingly stopping his rival in the 11th round.

Two years after narrowly outpointing his opponent, Whyte demonstrated his improvement and furthered Chisora's decline by leaving him unconscious for a worryingly long time at London's 02 Arena.

He was expected to be confirmed as the next challenger to Joshua at Wembley on April 13, but potentially faces an anxious wait while the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion considers instead fighting in the US for the first time.

Whyte will regardless remain at world-level as one of the division's leading contenders and a likely future challenger to Joshua, but if he is forced to wait could struggle to maintain the impressive momentum he has built.

The way Chisora's head heavily hit the canvas after Whyte's powerful left hook landed secured the latest damaging defeat of what has already been a difficult career, meaning that at 34 and with fewer options he should consider retirement.

Relive all the action below.

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Preview

When and where is the fight taking place?

The bout will take place on 22 December at the O2 Arena in London with the fighters expecting to begin their ringwalks at around 22:00 UK time.

Where can I watch it?

The event will be broadcast on Sky Sports Box Office and will cost £16.95.

Can I watch online?

Even if you aren't a Sky TV subscriber you can watch the fight live via their Sky Box Office website.

Whyte rematches with Chisora on Saturday night
Whyte rematches with Chisora on Saturday night (Getty)

Who's going to win?

Dillian Whyte 2/5

Dereck Chisora 5/2

Draw 20/1

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Dillian Whyte vs Dereck Chisora from The 02.

The two London rivals meet again after bloody and brutal first fight back in 2016, where Whyte emerged victorious in a controversial split decision. 

We'll have all the build-up and action right here.

Ben Burrows22 December 2018 13:05

In case you missed it, this is what Dereck Chisora wore for Friday's weigh-in.

Yep.

Adam Hamdani22 December 2018 13:26

Speaking of the weigh-in, both men looked in great shape. Chisora, in fact, looked in arguably the best shape of his career. The new fitness regime along with a change in nutrition led by manager David Haye will have played no small part.

Dillian Whyte weighed in at 17st, 8lbs and 8oz, with his opponent just five ounces lighter.

Adam Hamdani22 December 2018 14:01

The undercard at the O2 features some decent bouts, not the strongest card you've ever seen but an intriguing and entertaining one nonetheless.

Doors open at 4.45pm, with the first fight on at around 5pm.

Before the box office bouts get underway, Fabio Wardley faces Phil Williams, followed by Linus Udofia vs Pavol Garaj.

Sky Sports go live on pay per view at 6, with the official undercard as follows:

David Price vs Tom Little

Carlos Takam vs Senad Gashi

Cristofer Rosales vs Charlie Edwards

Joshua Buatsi vs Renold Quinlan

And the main event, which is expected to take place around 10.30pm, sees Whyte face Chisora.

Adam Hamdani22 December 2018 14:33

Our man Tom Kershaw spoke to Joshua Buatsi earlier this week about God, life in the UK and rebuffing a certain Floyd Mayweather.

Have a read, it's a cracker.

Adam Hamdani22 December 2018 15:00

There may have been no tables flying around this time, but the build up to this one has certainly not been short of ill tempers and aggression.

Adam Hamdani22 December 2018 15:29

The man who Dillian Whyte beat back in July says that he has 'unfinished business' with the Brixton-born fighter.

After Parker returned to winning ways with a convincing third round KO win over Alexander Flores, could the New Zealander etch his way back his way into the scene among the top heavyweights?

Adam Hamdani22 December 2018 15:41

The stars are going to be out at the O2 tonight.

The likes of Jarrell Miller, Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk lead the list of fighters who will be ringside.

Of all the men at the arena tonight, you can expect to see some if not all of them mixing it with each other in 2019.

Adam Hamdani22 December 2018 16:04

You probably already know this, but if you didn't, there's not just one but two Christmas crackers on in the UK tonight.

You'll have to fork out to watch both, of course.

Adam Hamdani22 December 2018 16:31

Oh, would you look at that.

The O2 Arena 

Adam Hamdani22 December 2018 16:38

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