There have been plenty of calls for fan-favourite heavyweight Derek Chisora to hang up the gloves in recent years, but a recent victory has put the ‘Del Boy’s’ retirement plan on ice.
Now, the front-footed Brit appears set to return in the ring in January 2025.
Chisora has twice challenged for heavyweight gold, with each of those unsuccessful title bids coming a decade apart – first losing a unanimous decision to Vitali Klitschko in 2012 before a bruising knockout defeat to Tyson Fury in 2022, which led to calls for the veteran to walk away from the sport.
Yet, almost two years on from his shortcomings against ‘The Gypsy King’, Chisora is still campaigning in the heavyweight division and recently secured an upset victory over Joe Joyce to remind fans that he is still a capable operator.
During the aftermath of that victory, the now 40-year-old declared that he will appear on two more occasions before retirement in order to reach the 50-fight landmark, outlining a desire to headline a card in Manchester.
And it appears that his dream has been accepted as a boxer has now confirmed that his team are in discussions to fight Chisora in Manchester in the next year.
‘Big Baby’ Jarrell Miller has confirmed to Boxing Scene that talks are ongoing for a fight between the pair to take place in January 2025.
And the venue is set to be Manchester.
“That’s the biggest one we’re talking about right now – Chisora. It’s not locked in yet; the deal’s not signed yet,” Miller confirmed.
“But there are definitely talks.
“We’re gonna see; we’re gonna see.
“We don’t have the arena locked down yet, but it’s looking like Manchester in January.
“I love it. I think it’s a great fight.
“I don’t think it’s an easy one but I think it’s a win.
“I’ve gotta go in there and beat my boy up.
“It’s so funny – as you get older in the sport of boxing, your fellow boxers become mates, I would say.
“It’s hard to avoid everybody at the top eventually [even if you like them] – some of us have gotta fight.
“I’ve a level of respect for Chisora.
“I like him, as much as I like Andy [Ruiz], so hopefully I can fight him.
“I told people, ‘If Chisora’s in shape, and his chin can stand up, I think he can beat Joe Joyce; Joe Joyce is very slow, he’s not very active, and so Derek could get rid of him’.
“Chisora’s a little past his prime, but sometimes an old dog got tricks, man.
“He’s an old dog that got tricks.
“I worry about him.
“He got two hands and two feet like me, so I’m worried about Chisora [fighting on].
“But I’ma train my ass off ‘cause if you give a dog a chance, he gonna bite you.
“The whole point is to go in there, and put a dog down.
“You might hear about it real soon, but the contract’s not signed yet.”
So there you have it.
It seems that Derek Chisora is going to get his wish to have his next fight in Manchester.
Once all the details are finalised, it’s sure to be a fight that boxing fans will be looking forward to.
But the sheer fact that Jarrell Miller is openly talking about it seems to indicate that an announcement could be made sooner rather than later.
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