The Big Interview - Dereck Chisora v Tyson Fury

In one corner there's Chisora, the one-time bad boy of British boxing who insists he's "a better fighter and better man" than when they first met three years ago.

In the other will stand the unbeaten Fury, the outspoken and avoided challenger who quips "I have knocked you down before - and I will knock you down again."

The rematch bears little resemblance than when they last shared in a ring together in 2011, when it was Fury who had his number and looked to have left him behind, writes Craig Birch.

A flabby and lethargic 'Del Boy' had just surrendered his standing, having being outpointed and completely outclassed, and was on a downward spiral that nearly cost him his career.

Three more defeats, an ugly brawl with David Haye that left a black eye on the reputation of Britain in the sport and the withdrawal of his boxing licence were all to follow.

The big fights never came for Fury, who ended up relinquishing the British heavyweight title he won from Chisora, rather than being forced into a defence against old rival David Price.

The Commonwealth crown went the same way, although there was time to pick up the Irish belt which was tribute to his heritage.

He signed with BoxNation - joining the same Frank Warren stable which included Chisora - to address how his career had stalled.

Desperate to make up for lost time, he agreed to fight David Haye, who had come out of retirement to flatten new enemy Chisora in five rounds.

Haye pulled out on him twice, first after sustaining a cut in training and then with the shoulder injury that looks to have finished him off for good.

So Fury was left with no option but to renew acquaintances with Chisora, now the European champion, in a summer showdown only for the curse to strike again.

His opponent's withdrawal with a hand injury left Fury that frustrated, he tweeted he would "find someone in Bolton town centre to fight" if he couldn't get into the ring soon.

And now he's the one consistently in trouble with the British Boxing Board of Control, their last fine totalling a whopping £15,000 for a series of wild trash-talking tirades.

That hurt. He freely admits he's only in it for the money. It's a job to him, not a passion. And he's been overlooked for promotion time and again.

He gagged himself at a press conference in September, putting tape over his mouth and refusing to say a word. It may hit him in the pocket, but he can't stay quiet for long.

He would be happy to never clap eyes on Chisora again, but all that makes financial sense right now is that he needs him back on track.

Victory would restore the British title, land him the European title and eliminator status would make him the mandatory challenger to WBO world champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Status is not his driving force, but the big pay days are over for the foreseeable future if he loses at the Excel in London tonight, which Fury insists he won't allow to happen.

He said: "All I am bothered about is getting him in the ring, I know what I am going to do to him. He's got no brains and I am going to beat him senseless.

"It's a mismatch, to me, because the same thing will happen as last time. He's still called Dereck Chisora. Same boxer, same outcome. As long as I get the win, I don't care.

"He's nothing but a high-class journeyman, he's lost five fights and yet he's the European champion. Losing will do nothing to him. Frank Warren will probably get him a world title shot.

"People never call asking to fight me. If you are an awkward fighter, who's going to want to?

"Klitschko doesn't want to fight me, I hope one day he proves me wrong. I may never get a world title shot, but people can overate a belt to put around your waist.

"It's all about the money, belts are not going to keep me warm or put food on the table. Whoever can put the biggest purse up, that's where I will go.

"We are all Prizefighters, that's what we do as modern day gladiators. It's a money-making machine. You've got a man making millions every time he fights.

"This is about money for me and every professional, whether they like to admit it or not. If it wasn't. I would still be an amateur fighting for pots and pans."

The one thing he does have is fighting pride and he's gone into 'gladiator' mode for this one, growing a beard and calling himself 'the Gypsy Warrior.'

The 6ft 9in beast from Manchester, from a travelling family, may yet to be forced by the board to shave it off before he gets into the ring tonight.

He also claims to have exchanged letters with bearded jailbird Charles Bronson, Britain's most violent prisoner. The face hair appears to be his war paint.

But Chisora insists "you don't scare me" having raised hell on more than one occasion himself. Now a family man , he has one message - 'Mama Said Knock You Out.'

He said: "I am feeling fit and strong and ready to get him out of there. The way I have got this planned out, by round seven he'll be 5ft 5in.