British heavyweight favorite Derek Chisora has not announced his retirement following a split decision loss last night against Deontay Wilder. It was largely expected that Chisora would call it day, following the end to the event titled “The Last Dance.”
In a press conference following the loss, Chisora (36-14, 23 KOs) was rather cryptic as to whether he would be retiring after his 50th professional bout.
“It’s not over,” Chisora said, regarding his career at the official post-fight press conference. “I said it’s over, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to fight again. I might decide to do something else in boxing.”
Chisora was pressed again on the future of his career, but he was noncommittal: “I honestly don’t know.”
“To be honest, I’m tired and I can’t do it anymore,” Chisora explained. “You know when you know it is time, and it’s time. I’ve had a great career! I always say, boxing opens doors. It’s been amazing.”
Away from the 42-year old’s retirement plans, Chisora was not impressed with how the fight played out at the sold-out O2 Arena in East London.
“No, I don’t agree with that,” Chisora said regarding the scorecards. “The ropes were very loose. I went into the ropes, he followed me, pushed me and the ref said ‘break’ and then we broke and I went through the ropes and he started counting. The second time, they took a point [from Wilder], and they still started counting me. I don’t understand why?”
Chisora added: “I won the last round. I don’t know how you guys scored it?”
Chisora was in touching distance of a world title fight, being ranked in second position for Oleksandr Usyk’s IBF world title. However, Wilder is likely to leapfrog the Londoner following failed negotiations with Usyk.
