Chisora vs Wallin, press conference quotes

The heavyweight Headlines, along with the bumper undercard, assembled at the Edwardian Hotel in Manchester earlier today for the final press conference ahead of Saturday’s ‘The Last Dance’ show at the Co-op Live Arena.

British heavyweight stalwart Derek Chisora, having his final fight in the UK, plus his opponent Otto Wallin, took to the stage along with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren to offer their thoughts ahead of the big night, which can be viewed live in the UK and Ireland on TNT Sports and across the world on DAZN.

Below are a selection of quotes from the media event.

Frank Warren

“It was 18 years ago this month that he made his debut with me and we’ve had an off and on relationship over that period of time. We’ve had some good times together and some good fights, which is what you get from him. This, for me, is quite poignant that we are here now for his 49th fight - and last in the UK - that it is with Queensberry and myself. I am really looking forward to it, looking forward to seeing Derek in action. He is in with a really tough competitor in Otto, who has only got two losses against former world champions in Tyson and AJ and he won his last fight with a KO in the first round, I think. This is a really good fight card, no doubt about it, and with Derek it is going to be something special. We have sold more tickets for this than some real big, iconic fights involving heavyweight in the UK. That is the appeal of Derek, that is what he’s done over the years, he’s built his following up and the fans come out to see him. They are coming out for The Last Dance and this is a big moment in time. He needs to win this fight, he’ll want to win it, no doubt about that, then it will take him onto his 50th fight. And I’ll make sure that is his last one! Is that a deal? That is where we want to get to. Another thing about this fight now is it is a final eliminator for the IBF title, so we’ve got that tag to it and it is brilliant.”

Otto Wallin

“I want to thank Frank and Queensberry, this is a great opportunity and I am appreciative of it. It feels good, I’ve been on the road before and I am expecting a tough crowd. It is going to be a good time, I am ready for this fight and I have some Swedish people coming also, so I think it will be a good atmosphere and I am looking forward to it. Him saying I have no dog in me has been a great motivation for me during tough times. I remember what he said and think I will go in there and show him. It is great motivation to push through those hard moments in training. I think it is going to show in the fight.”

Derek Chisora

“Thank you very much for supporting me in the last 49 fights I’ve had. I appreciate you guys, even if you write sh*t about me, I still love you. Those who do write sh*t, I know where you guys live anyway! This is a big fight for me and the Viking, although he is not a Viking anymore and he lives in New York. He is a New Yorker now. I have never boxed at the Co-op and it is a good, good venue. I love Manchester and I am buzzing for this fight. It is going to be one exciting fight, I’ll tell you that now. Do not sit down because we are going to drown this guy. I know for a fact he hasn’t trained the way I would expect him to train for me. I just want to fight. Before I came to Manchester my wife said to me ‘just go and enjoy yourself, don’t worry about anything and enjoy everything about it’. I’ve been training to enjoy it but, at the same time, it is very emotional because I love this game so much. I love the ups and downs of it, the losing, the enjoyment, everything about it. I love it. It is difficult to leave boxing if you are not told to leave it. I was told to leave it at 50 fights, so I have to get to 50 fights. If it was up to me, I would go to 100. I’m joking, my leg is shaking Frank, be careful. I didn’t realise it is the same hotel where the table went up! Me and Frank have had our ups and downs, so thank you very much Frank for having me back on. Come Saturday night, my friend over there ain’t gonna know what’s hit him.”