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Joe Joyce suffered a devastating blow to his future career plans as he was floored and beaten by Zimbabwean-born Derek Chisora on Saturday night.
“The Juggernaut” lost a unanimous decision to “WAR Chisora” in a gruelling battle at London’s O2 Arena and will now face calls to retire from boxing.
Chisora floored Joyce in the ninth en-route to a unanimous decision win.
The action started off as it meant to go on, with both men meeting in the centre of the ring and letting their hands fly.
Chisora began the better of the two, working Joyce’s body well.
But he was caught by a good left hook towards the end of the opening stanza that buckled his knees.
To his credit, the crafty veteran held on and saw out the round.
In the second, Chisora landed several clubbing right hands, but they bounced off the “Juggernaut’s” chin as he marched forward unfazed.
By the third frame, Joyce was starting to time his opponent as he waded in.
And come the fourth round, Chisora looked tired.
Yet there was still plenty of fight left in the 40-year-old, who bit down on his gumshield and threw together a couple of concussive onslaughts.
At the halfway mark, Chisora was still throwing furiously and appeared to be ahead going into round six.
The pace began to slow through rounds six to eight which favoured Joyce, who was able to start picking his punches more accurately.
Joyce landed with regularity, but Chisora had more meat on his shots.
In the eighth round, Chisora was badly hurt by a big right hand as he sunk against the ropes and then backtracked frantically.
The 40-year-old looked out on his feet in the ninth round while Joyce poured on the pressure but somehow, some-way, he landed a thunderous overhand right from the heavens that sent his opponent tumbling to the canvas.
In the final round, Chisora hung on for dear life as Joyce desperately chased the finish.
With thirty seconds to go, Chisora summoned up the strength to go out swinging as the fight went the distance.
When the final bell sounded, the O2 Arena rose to its feet to cheer the brave competitors, including heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk, who gave them both a standing ovation from ringside.
In the end, the judges had it 97-92, 96-94, and 96-94 in Chisora’s favour.
Ahead of fight night, many members of the boxing fraternity insisted that the loser must retire but both men insisted they would box on in their post-fight interviews.
“It’s not my last fight, I’ve still got two more,” said Chisora. “Now I go to Manchester at the end of the year.”
Joyce then took to the mic and timed in: “I’m not done yet. I’m still pretty fresh.”
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury was over the moon for his old pal Derek Chisora.
Fury – who has fought and beaten Chisora three times in the paid ranks — was one of the first to congratulate the British icon on his upset victory.
In a video uploaded to Instagram, Fury said: “What a legend! Old Derek Chisora!
“I’m so happy for him and so proud of him and what a servant to British boxing he’s been over the years.
“He’s had so many fights and entertained us all on so many occasions.
“What a way to go out, with a bang!
“God bless you Derek Chisora, I salute you, you are the man, God bless you, all the best, love you, brother, good luck.”
Many felt Chisora’s win over Joyce was the perfect way to close out his career.
But both men confirmed they wouldn’t be hanging up their gloves in the immediate aftermath.
“It’s not my last fight, I’ve still got two more,” said Chisora. “Now I go to Manchester at the end of the year.” —TalkSport.
Online Reporter