Vitali Klitschko vs Derek Chisora

Vitali Klitschko vs Derek Chisora, billed as Showdown in Munich, was a professional boxing match that was contested between WBC heavyweight champion, Vitali Klitschko, and the WBC's number 15 ranked contender, Derek Chisora. The bout took place on 18 February 2012 at the Olympiahalle, with Klitschko winning by unanimous decision.

Background
After regaining the WBC title by stopping Samuel Peter after a four-year absence from the ring in 2008 Vitali Klitschko was looking to make an eighth consecutive defence of his crown.

Derek Chisora had been set to face Vitali's brother Wladimir, on 11 December 2010, but Klitschko pulled out just days prior with a torn abdominal muscle. The rescheduled fight for 30 April 2011 was also cancelled so [Wladimir] Klitschko could fight David Haye on 2 July. With [Vitali] Klitschko due to fight Adamek, this left Chisora with no other option than to face his mandatory challenger for the British title, the upcoming Tyson Fury. Chisora's 14-0 win streak ended at the hands of the undefeated Fury, who won via twelve round unanimous decision. Chisora then challenged for the vacant European heavyweight title against Finland's Robert Helenius in Helsinki. The fight ended in a split decision victory for Helenius, which many observers felt was a robbery and that Chisora had won the fight.

Sources in Germany reported that Kltschko and Chisora were likely to fight on 18 February 2012 at the Olympiahalle in Munich. This was later confirmed on 12 December 2011 that Chisora would be Klitschko's next opponent.

Chisora was heavily criticised for his behaviour at the weigh-in after slapping Klitschko across the face when the two went head-to-head during the staredown. More controversy ensued moments before the fight when he spat water in the face of Wladimir whilst in the ring before the pre-fight introductions.

The fight
Klitschko boxed a disciplined fight with changing angles and superior footwork, and was able to keep the aggressive and offensive Chisora at range for the majority of the rounds. Despite bobbing and weaving, and constant pressure applied by Chisora, Klitschko was able to use his height and reach advantage to land clean straight right hands and power shots from a distance to outland Chisora, and control the pace as the bout progressed. At times, Chisora was able to deliver some punishment of his own, with most of his work coming with body shots and hooks to Klitschko's head, forcing Klitschko onto the back foot, and his best rounds being the eighth and twelfth round.

All three judges unanimously scored the fight in favour of Klitschko, with scores of 118-110, 118-110 and 119-111. Despite being a decisive victory for Klitschko, Chisora earned credit for his chin and heart, and also for giving Klitschko his most competitive fight since his defeat to Lennox Lewis in 2003. Chisora also became only the fourth man (after Tino Hoffmann, Kevin Johnson and Shannon Briggs), to take Klitschko the twelve round distance.

Aftermath
In the post-fight press conference, a brawl ensued between Chisora and former heavyweight champion David Haye. After the altercation, Chisora challenged Haye to a fight in the ring, which subsequently paved the way for the pair's own grudge match later in the year.