By Sean McDaniel: IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) may have more problems with his next opponent Derek Chisora (14-0, 9 KO’s) than a lot of people when they will likely meet up on December 11th in Germany. The fight still is in the negotiation period but it’s looking like Chisora will be next for Wladimir. Chisora has the ability to put a lot of pressure on Klitschko and he could end up wearing him down much in the same way that Lamon Brewster and Ross Purity did in the past by making him expend a lot of energy.

Chisora likes to throw a lot of punches and he’s pretty relentless on the inside. He’s also not shy about sneaking in some dirty moves like holding and hitting. Klitschko hasn’t faced any heavyweights with inside skills like Chisora, and he’s going to have to take a cram course in fighting at close range if he wants to avoid getting in trouble against him. Wladimir often ties up his opponents when they come inside. That will work some of the time, but Chisora just keeps coming and Wladimir won’t be able to tie him up every time.

He’s going to have to fight him or try to run from him. Wladimir doesn’t have the legs to move very much without wearing down after a short period of time. Wladimir may be forced to fight Chisora’s fight by trading on the inside. Emanuel Steward, Klitschko’s trainer, has been working on developing an uppercut for Wladimir. He actually used it every now and then in his recent 10th round TKO win over former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter on September 11th. Wladimir opened up with a couple decent uppercuts when he was in the process of finishing off Peter in the 10th.

However, will have to use his uppercut a lot more often and much earlier in the fight against Chisora if he wants to get him out of there fast. He can’t let Chisora crowd him and clinching won’t work. Wladimir has to have a tool to use on Chisora and that may his best bet. If Wladimir doesn’t find a weapon to keep Chisora on the outside, he’s going to get knocked out. It’s as simple as that. Chisora wants it too much he’s going to fight tooth and nail to try and capture Wladimir’s titles.