Online Reporter
DEREK Chisora, one of the most controversial, entertaining and unpredictable heavyweights of the last 15 years, expects tonight’s fight vs. Otto Wallin to be his last in a British ring.
But, Chisora being Chisora, those plans could change later in 2025 and there has recently been talk of a trilogy fight vs. Dillian Whyte in London.
The official plan, however, is for the 41-year-old to finish this year on 50 fights: first Wallin at the Co-op live in Manchester, and then a final fight in Africa, London or Saudi Arabia.
If this is the last time “War” Chisora (35-13, 23 KOs) is seen in a British ring (the event is being promoted as “The Last Dance”), it is a good time to look back at the two-time world title challenger’s key moments in a rollercoaster career.
Born in Zimbabwe but raised in north London since childhood, Chisora made his professional debut in February 2007 and has won his last two fights on points against Joe Joyce and Gerald Washington, since a tenth-round stoppage loss to Tyson Fury for the WBC world heavyweight title in 2022.
Chisora’s Round 8 knockout of Carlos Takam in July 2018 was the London-based heavyweight at his best. Takam, who lasted 10 rounds against Anthony Joshua in October 2017, was on course for a points victory over Chisora, who absorbed considerable punishment before finding the strength to land two big right hands that twice floored Takam.
After being pummelled on the ropes for much of the fight, Chisora changed the course of the bout with two seismic right hands that sent Takam to the canvas. His last outing, a points win over Joyce in July last year, was also impressive and another thrilling encounter.
Some of Chisora’s best showings came in defeats against two Ukrainians: Vitali Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk. The Londoner surprised many by pushing both close in fights he believed he should have won.
Klitschko earned scores of 118-110, 118-110 and 119-111 from the judges to defend his WBC world heavyweight title in Munich, in February 2012.
But despite the wide margin of scores, Klitschko spent large periods of the fight on the backfoot and his 40-year-old legs were made to work for every moment of the 12 rounds in a plucky effort from Chisora.
In November 2020, Chisora made it difficult at times for Usyk, who triumphed by scores of 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113 in an event staged behind closed doors due to coronavirus restrictions.
It was only Usyk’s second fight at heavyweight, and Chisora refused to give up and had some success in the ninth as he showed plenty of heart in the late rounds.
Most controversial moment(s)
There have been down the years, but the brawl at a press conference between Chisora and David Haye, followed by a subsequent outlawed fight vs. Haye at Upton Park, created huge controversy in 2012.
Chisora and Haye left British boxing’s reputation as tattered as an old boxing glove after they swapped blows at a post-fight news conference after Chisora’s fight vs. Klitschko in Munich. Chisora threatened to “shoot” his British rival and Haye broke the jaw of Chisora’s trainer Don Charles. German police investigated the incident, before British boxing authorities banned Chisora and Haye after the brawl created bad publicity in the mainstream media.
As both were banned from boxing in Britain, promoters got the Luxembourg Boxing Federation to instead license Haye vs. Chisora at West Ham United’s old stadium in east London, where Haye stopped his rival.
By 2018, the pair were on better terms as Haye promoted Chisora for a period.
2012 was not the only year Chisora got into trouble with boxing authorities or caused carnage.
He was also banned for four months for biting opponent Paul Butlin’s ear during a bout in 2009, and once kissed an opponent (Carl Baker) at a weigh-in in 2010. – ESPN/Sports Reporter
