Friday 6 May 2016 17:48, UK
Tyson Fury will be 'over the moon' if Dereck Chisora can become European heavyweight champion and is likely to be watching his fight with Kubrat Pulev at ringside.
The pair have never been the best of friends but the world champion admits he has a 'soft spot' for the Londoner, who challenges Pulev for the vacant belt in Hamburg, Germany, on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
"To be honest I would love to see him win and I am even thinking of going out to Hamburg," he told Sky Sports.
"I'd love to be there to support him and even walk into the ring with him.
"I'm just worried he's not going to be able to out-box Pulev though. He's a taller boxer while Chisora is a short aggressor, so I am not sure how he's been training and how he's going to be since the second fight against me.
"But I've got a little soft spot for Dereck Chisora. We've had two good fights, we've sort of started the big league with him and now we've ended it, so I do wish him well. I really do.
If I am honest I can't see him doing but I would be over the moon for him if he wins that European title and gets a crack at the world title.
"If I am honest I can't see him doing it but I would be over the moon for him if he wins that European title and gets a crack at the world title."
Chisora (25-5-KO17) has lost twice to Fury. The pair first clashed ringside at the George Groves-James DeGale fight at the O2 in May 2011 - two months before their first in-ring meeting - when the current WBO and WBA Super champion was "escorted out of the venue by about 50 security guards".
But although he isn't expecting 'Del Boy' to do what he did against Wladimir Klitschko and win out in Germany, Fury believes his old enemy has a chance to beat Pulev (22-1-KO12) and spring the latest heavyweight surprise.
"The good thing about Dereck is he always fights the big men very well," he said.
"It's only me that's out-boxed him and made him look average because of my movement but when he fought [Vitali] Klitschko he was in the fight. He beat Robert Helenius but never got the decision and when he fights big fighters he usually produces a great performances.
"It's in Germany, in Pulev's back garden so it is going to be extremely tough. I have always said I'd love that trilogy with him but as I have said - and I am a man of my words - when I have beaten Wladimir Klitschko that will be it for me.
"But I'd love seeing Chisora lift that belt and then get another world title shot."
Chisora was involved in a heated weigh-in on Friday and after clashing with Pulev again, appeared to be struck by a plastic bottle and surged off the stage to confront its thrower.
You can watch Dereck Chisora v Kubrat Pulev, live on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday night around 10pm, before Anthony Crolla v Ismael Barroso live from Manchester. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
