Derek Chisora has had an impressive career in the heavyweight division that’s not been without its punishing losses.
At 39-years-old, the fan-favourite from Finchley has twice challenged for a world title, falling short against Vitali Klitschko and, more recently, Tyson Fury in December of 2022.
It was that fight with Fury that prompted many in the sport to suggest hanging up the gloves – a particularly brutal beating in which the referee had to step in and stop proceedings.
Those who have given their advice include Tony Bellew, Eddie Hearn, and Tyson Fury himself. Chisora, as he has throughout his career, will do it on his own terms. He told TalkSPORT that he would be back out this year.
“Three months’ time. Don’t worry, man. Big things are coming.”
‘Del Boy’ – now known simply as ‘WAR’ – said that he just wanted to bring entertainment to fans, and that he was targetting three fights in 2023.
Whilst calls to retire are undoubtedly from a good place, there’s no man that can – or should – make the decision other than Chisora himself, perhaps with the involvement of his family.
Fans have paid to see him put it all on the line 46 times professionally, and must grant him the decency to decide his own future. Since the payday from his most recent outing has likely set him up nicely, it’s the thrill of the fight that Chisora can’t let go of.
Perhaps what the Fury loss showed is that, if he does decide to fight on, level of opposition is the most important factor at play. Just five months before that fight, Chisora fought Kubrat Pulev in a close contest that he came out of on top.
If we’re to see Chisora walk to the ring to the familiar tune of Hotel California again, there are plenty of heavyweights out there on the scene that would take the opportunity to be in the other corner – and it’s up to him and the promoter, likely Hearn, to choose wisely.
One such man is former cruiserweight world champion, Mairis Breidis, who recently said that the pair had verbally agreed to get it on.