Cult heavyweight star Derek Chisora refused to call time on his career yesterday in spite of health fears after losing by unanimous decision in a punishing contest against former WBO world champion Joseph Parker in Manchester – a third successive career defeat. Chisora, 38 this month, dropped to twelve losses in his 44-fight career having been floored once and having been given two standing counts by referee Howard Foster in the fourth, seventh and ninth rounds in a rematch with the New Zealander.
Nonetheless, it was a dramatic, thrilling contest which went the distance and in which Chisora fought back ferociously, particularly when the Finchley fighter looked out on his feet and close to defeat. It has become a staple of the contests involving the fighter known as ‘War’ Chisora, and has turned the once bad boy of British boxing into a cult box office figure with his granite chin, and relentless fighting style.
Chisora, a former world title challenger, had told The Daily Telegraph in an exclusive interview last week that boxing “is an addictive drug” and re-enforced yesterday that he had “no desire to retire” in spite of calls from many quarters after the points defeat – 115-111, 115-110, 114-112 – that he should consider hanging up his gloves. “You can’t retire from this game. It’s the biggest drug in the whole world. It’s hard to leave boxing. The only time we do is when we’re six feet under and even then I’ll still probably be shadowboxing,” Chisora told Telegraph Sport, insisting that there are still trilogy fights out there for him with WBC champion Tyson Fury, and Dillian Whyte, and that he plans to return next summer, tweeting : “F*** retirement. I’ll be back in the summer. It’s not happening yet (retirement), I did box with a broken finger but I don’t care — it is not happening yet.”
The promoter Eddie Hearn expressed some concern but insisted the final decision must rest with the fighter himself. “It is difficult because he is not regressing in training,” Hearn told Boxing Social. “He is not losing his punch resistance and he is still boxing well. “But he is 36 and he is in a lot of tough fights so it is a decision between his loved ones who will say ‘what do you want to do’. He loves this and he could fight anyone, Andy Ruiz or Luis Ortiz and still fill up the stadiums regardless. It was another tough night at the office but we will support him whatever he chooses to do, but I believe he will fight again next year I’m pretty sure of that.”
Parker, who has aspirations to regain a world title, added: “Derek always comes for war, he was one tough guy and never stopped coming forward until the end. The crowd went mental when he walked out. They just want to support him. Personally I’d like to see him walk away. He has given boxing everything, but that’s his decision.”
* In Miami, Youtube star Jake Paul enjoyed victory with a stunning one-punch knockout of former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, and called out Tommy Fury, younger brother of Tyson Fury, after the Lancashire boxer had pulled out of their contest through injury. Fury and Paulare expected to sign a new fight deal in the New Year.
This Article First Appeared On The Telegraph