Derek Chisora returned to the ring with a points win over Gerald Washington in London last weekend, but Teddy Atlas firmly believes that should be the last time ‘Del Boy’ steps into the ring.
The Londoner has had a long, gruelling career with 47 fights over 324 rounds. His aggressive come-forward style has seen him win 34 times with 23 KOs, but lose 13 times, four by knockout.
On The Fight, Atlas spoke about his love for Chisora.
“I said a while ago I love Chisora, I love what he has given us. He’s a war horse. I love the thrills, the fights, the excitement, everything he has given the audience for 20 years. They love him there, I love him here.”
Atlas then expanded on Chisora’s style and why it is so exciting but dangerous.
“He only knows one way. Conquer or be conquered. That’s Chisora, a fighter right down to his toes. He’s got the heart of a lion like you said. But when it’s enough, it’s enough. And after he got knocked out in his last fight by [Tyson] Fury, he’s been taking those punches for 20 years. That’s his style.”
Atlas then worried about how these fights have aged Chisora and what could possible happen if he continues fighting.
“He’s 39 years old. He might as well be 79. Because the way you judge a fighter, age is not chronological, it’s by the amount of punishment he has taken. He has taken a lot of punishment, especially the last few years as he’s gotten older and older.
He’s taken so many punches, when is enough enough? If you really love him, I do love him and everything he has given us, he’s given every ounce of himself, if you love him, make sure he doesn’t get in the ring no more.”
Sooner or later something bad is going to happen, do you not understand that? At some point you have to protect someone from themselves when they’re that much of a warrior.
When are you going stop, when he dies in the ring? I said it – what are you going to say then. Why do we have commissions?”
It is a sentiment many will share, but Chisora himself has different ideas.