• Heavyweight

Chisora finds new opponent for title defence

Dan Rafael
November 20, 2013
Dereck Chisora will make his first European heavyweight title defence © Getty Images
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Dereck Chisora will defend his European heavyweight title against Ondrej Pala on November 30 at London's Copper Box Arena.

On Wednesday, Pala (32-3, 22 KOs) replaced original opponent Matteo Modugno (14-0, 8 KOs) of Italy, who dropped out over the weekend after suffering two broken ribs during a sparring session.

Chisora, who will be making his first European defence against Pala, of the Czech Republic, said he isn't concerned about the late switch.

"It's a late change as I've prepared for Modugno, but I like the look of Pala," Chisora said. "I reckon he'll give me a much better fight than Modugno would have given me. He can definitely bang as his 22 knockouts show and he'll be looking to do some damage to me. As long as he comes forward and attacks and doesn't go on the back foot running away then it will be an explosive fight.

"I'm in the mood to do some destroying on the night and I'll look to break Pala down methodically just like I took [Edmund] Gerber apart. I broke him up with plenty of rib-crunching body shots and I'll do the same to Pala."

Chisora (18-4, 12 KOs), who lost a world title shot by decision against Vitali Klitschko in 2012, stopped Gerber in the fifth round to win the European title on September 21.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com
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