Derek Chisora Reveals Injury Threat to Joshua vs. Fury Fight

Derek Chisora has a direct line into Anthony Joshua's camp, and he likes what he's hearing.

Joshua faces Tyson Fury on December 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

The fight will be streamed live on Netflix.

Chisora, a longtime friend of Joshua, told talkSPORT that he checks in with Joshua every week.

"I speak to [Joshua] every Friday after his week of training camp," Chisora said.

"I send him a message asking him how it was, and he said 'yeah I'm killing it.'"

"So that is all I need to know, he's killing it."

"Whatever happens it is going to be an exciting fight on December 11."

Chisora lost three times to Fury in his own career.

He knows both fighters well.

Fury is 38 years old with a record of 36-2-1 and 25 knockouts.

Joshua is 37 years old with a record of 30-4 and 27 knockouts.

The fight was first floated as a possibility back in 2016.

Many fans and analysts think it has come too late for both men.

Chisora disagrees with that assessment.

"I am so excited about it," he said.

"We are not getting it too late, it is at the right time."

Joshua has won his last two fights.

He stopped Jake Paul in six rounds.

He also beat Kristian Prenga, getting up off the canvas to win.

Chisora believes power is Joshua's path to victory.

"AJ has to knock him out in the first six rounds," Chisora said.

"After that it is a long night, but AJ has the power to knock out Tyson any round."

"But has Tyson got that same power? No."

Chisora explained that Fury will use a different strategy.

"However, what Tyson will do is make the fight at a higher pace," he said.

"He has the endurance to sustain it for 12 rounds, and throw a higher volume of punches."

That analysis suggests a classic matchup of power versus endurance.

Joshua needs an early knockout.

Fury can win by outworking him over the distance.

But a new rumor has cast doubt on the entire event.

Former WBC heavyweight champion Frank Bruno told the Fight Your Corner podcast that Fury may be injured.

"I looked at him the other day, and I think someone was talking to me in the gym that he's got some injury, which may stop him from going into the fight with Joshua," Bruno said.

"And having that on your head ain't nice."

Bruno's claim was reported by MMA Mania and other outlets.

Fury's camp has denied the injury claim.

Sky Sports reported that Fury's team told them the fight is set to go ahead as scheduled.

Frank Warren, Fury's promoter, also responded to the rumors.

Boxing News 24 reported that Warren dismissed the injury talk.

Fury himself recently spoke about his plans beyond the Joshua fight.

"I'm going to continue," Fury told WSVN Miami from his training camp.

"I've got two fights left on my contract."

"I'll finish the contract off and then probably sign another 10-fight deal. Who knows?"

"If the money's right sign another 10 fights, but they've got to be quick because I'm getting older."

"And when it's gone it's gone. I'm coming up to fight No. 40."

Fury ended his second retirement earlier this year.

He stopped Mariusz Wach in Thailand last July.

Joshua also returned from a layoff.

He bounced back from a horrific car wreck overseas to fight Prenga in Saudi Arabia.

Both men have something to prove.

Joshua needs to show he can still beat elite competition.

Fury needs to prove he can still fight at championship level after time off.

The fight is for the WBA Super heavyweight title.

The Principality Stadium in Cardiff will host the event.

The fight is scheduled to begin around 1 AM on Saturday December 12 UK time.

The stadium will remain open until 3:30 AM.

Chisora, now 42, was expected to retire after his April loss to Deontay Wilder.

He has not fully committed to retirement.