• Heavyweight

Chisora: Mum's hairdryer sorted me out

Dereck Chisora faces Malik Scott on Saturday © PA Photos

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Dereck Chisora has admitted that a stern talking to from his mother and promoter Frank Warren made him refocus and get his flailing career back on track.

'Del Boy' takes on undefeated American Malik Scott at Wembley Arena on Saturday, and the Londoner has revealed that mum Viola made him change his ways.

The heavyweight has been involved in a number of controversial incidents throughout his career - including slapping Vitali Klitschko during their weigh-in and brawling with long-time British rival David Haye at a post-fight press conference.

However, it proved a calmer outcome at the Londoner's weigh-in with Scott - and it was Chisora who topped the scales, looking immaculate at 242lbs with Scott coming in at a lighter 232lbs.

Chisora, though, has put his change of attitude down to his mother and an intervention led by Warren.

"One day my mother had had enough and she said 'why can't you just listen to me for once in your life?'," Chisora said.

"She told me what to do and I thought I'll do it for six months and if it doesn't work out I'll do it my own way. So it was my mother who made me change, she said I needed to start listening to people.

"Then Frank got me in his office and had a go at me in front of my mum and trainer. Frank said 'I don't understand' and I saw tears in his eyes. Me and Frank have come a long way and I thought, 'you know what, I'll listen'."

After suffering four losses in five fights -to Tyson Fury, Robert Helenius, Klitschko and Haye - the 29-year-old regained his British boxing licence before narrowly seeing off Hector Alfredo Avila on his return in April.

Warren added that, while his win over Avila was not entirely spectacular, Chisora responded by taking the right attitude - and is looking better because of it.

"He looked like a load of blubber. He'd been going down the gym and coming home and having a pie. You and I can do that, but not him," Warren said.

"I just sat down him and told him straight - you can't live like that and have the career you should have. He has a lot of talent but was letting himself down.

"I got in Viola's ear about it and she got on to him as well. We both let him know that he could be doing things better and it looks like he got the message. He looks fantastic right now."

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