Vitali Klitschko, Dereck Chisora Trade Words at Press Conference

WBC heavyweight titlist Vitali Klitschko will face Dereck Chisora on February 18 in Germany, and the pair did a pretty good job selling their fight at a press conference in London. Here are a couple of the best quotes, via RingTV.com. First up, Chisora:

"I have already said to Vitali: 'I hope you don't chicken out like your little brother, just make sure you are there'. I just hope you do not come up with excuses, or say there is a problem with this or that. I just want to fight. Everybody is tired of you and your brother, because you do not bring excitement to the game. They have killed the sport I love.

"It is time for the new king, and that will be me come February 18. I have everyone around the world on my side. Most of Europe, fans in America, people in south Africa, even those in the north…"

Having remained motionless throughout, Klitschko suddenly felt obliged to intervene at this point and ask whether he could count on the support of China too?

"They may not have heard of me in China but, after I whoop your ass, then they will, " Chisora responded.

Chisora is of course referencing a pair of fights he had scheduled with Wladimir Klitschko in December 2009 and April 2010, which both fell through due to injury and then Wladimir finally making a deal with David Haye.

As for Vitali, he sold his opponent in the best possible way, something that isn't done enough in boxing: He gave him credit and said he has a chance of winning.

"Everyone I have spoken to says Dereck is the best contender out there. I respect him and I know he will not be an easy opponent. I am treating the fight very seriously. Everyone says that the fights of the Klitschkos are boring. That's because we win. We need someone who can beat us. I believe Dereck can do that."

Klitschko (43-2, 40 KO) disposed of Odlanier Solis (TKO-1, injury) and Tomasz Adamek (TKO-10) in 2011, and at age 40, says he wants to fight twice this year and then seriously consider his future in the sport. Neither of the Klitschkos are dummies, and neither intend to hang around and take punishment.

And while Chisora (15-2, 9 KO) is absolutely, without question an enormous underdog, and a win would be almost impossible to top as the 2012 Upset of the Year, he is going to come to fight. I don't think there's any doubt about that. When he's in shape, Chisora is one of the hardest chargers in the heavyweight division, a fearless guy who isn't afraid to get hit or risk getting knocked out. Vitali is a big step up from Robert Helenius, against whom Chisora was robbed in November in Finland, but Chisora is about as interesting an opponent as there is for Vitali. If he can really pressure the big man, he just might have that little shot to pull this thing off.

Probably not, but they're at least selling the fight the right way.