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By Johnny Walker
Eccentric UK heavyweight Dereck “Del Boy” Chisora caused a brief skirmish during the weigh-in for his Saturday night title fight with rising star Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius today in Helsinki, Finland. The two men will battle for the vacant EBU European heavyweight title.
Chisora weighed in at 243, looking much better than he did when losing earlier this year to fellow Brit Tyson Fury at a career high weight of 261. After Helenius took the scale and weighed in at 239, the two fighters commenced a stare-down in which Chisora slapped Helenius in the face and then appeared to try and kiss him, pulling his head forward. But Helenius was ready for such a move, and reacted quickly, pushing the unpredictable British heavyweight away.
Del Boy, of course, has made bizarre, amorous overtures toward a puzzled Helenius during the buildup to this fight, repeatedly speaking of his desire to “make love” to the Finnish heavyweight. Chisora also has kissed and bitten previous opponents.
Helenius has responded by calling Chisora’s pugilistic sweet talk “disturbing” and “crazy.”
Also on the card, WBA “Regular” heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin weighed in at 227 pounds, while his opponent, American veteran Cedric Boswell, tipped the scales at 228, in a far more relaxed atmosphere.
