Veteran boxer Dereck Chisora proved his professional career isn’t finished after he broke a three-fight consecutive losing streak with a split-decision victory over Kubrat Pulev last month.
Chisora celebrated his success over Pulev with his children in the ring at the 02 Arena in London following a set of judges’ scores that were 116-114 and 116-112 in his favour, as one judge gave 116-112 to Pulev.
You can check out highlights from that fight below courtesy of DAZN Boxing:
Chisora isn’t a top heavyweight contender like he once was – last competing for the title ten years ago when Vitali Klitschko defeated him – but he’s still a polarising figure within the ring. You’ll rarely witness a lacklustre fight with him involved, and the Pulev meeting was no exception.
It was hard; Pulev is a great fighter. I needed a win; I’ve lost so many fights. It feels great to be a winner.
I’m happy today, but at the same time, I’m sad. I don’t have many left in me. My next couple of fights need to be big ones. I don’t want any easy fights. I will be happy if I can get ‘The Bronze Bomber’ [former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder] in my next fight
I told Eddie, the other day, if he can get me the Bronze Bomber, I’ll be happy.
I want to fight everybody in my era, win or lose, I just want to fight. If he’s itching… the Bronze Bomber, give me some of that power, baby.
Chisora commented in his post-fight interview
During his previous three bouts, Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) was the victim of consecutive decision losses to Oleksandr Usyk (the current WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight champion) and Joseph Parker (twice). He didn’t underperform in these contests, and his recent showing versus Pulev should give him enough significance to land another big fight.
The heavyweight boxer, who grew up in London after moving from Zimbabwe as a child, was ecstatic when breaking his run of defeats. He also highlighted what he believed was an unfair split-decision loss to Pulev for the European title in 2016.
Conquering a high-level opponent like Pulev could give him the edge in obtaining a matchup with Wilder. The American hasn’t competed since being stopped by Tyson Fury in 2021.
Chisora vs. Wilder in New York would sell, but Hearn Prefers Dillian Whyte
Should Chisora and Wilder happen, there would be no better location than New York. The Empire State has been the home of historical boxing bouts, and the potential heavyweight fight would receive a significantly higher interest if contested in New York.
The recent sweep across the US featuring the legalization of online sports betting would heighten the non-title meeting overall interest, as wagering on boxing has witnessed an influx since the legalisation of sports betting in New York earlier in 2022.
Wilder would unquestionably enter the bout as the oddsmaker’s favourite over Chisora, but who would you place in your betting slip?
Eddie Hearn has been Chisora’s long-time promoter, and he went on record to state a Wilder-Chisora bout would be an intriguing one. Hearn received some bad press from critics when previously suggesting the fight, given the damage Chisora has taken during his career. Still, he believes Wilder also presents a question mark surrounding his longevity after two back-to-back knockout losses to Fury.
It’s a tough fight.“Like, I think, I don’t know what Wilder’s got left after the Tyson Fury defeats, but he’s a very, very sharp, fast puncher. You know It’s a dangerous fight. It’s a dangerous fight for Derek Chisora.
Hearn said when questioned about a possible meeting between Wilder and Chisora
Hearn drifted from Wilder to share his interest in making a trilogy bout between Chisora and his fellow countryman Dillian Whyte. Chisora lost a split decision to Whyte in 2016; in the 2018 rematch, Chisora lost by knockout. Like Wilder, Whyte most recently lost to Fury via a sixth-round stoppage at Wembley Stadium in London.
I still like Dillian Whyte III. You know, those two will always have great scraps, so we’ll see what happens.”
Eddie Hearn
I believe boxing fans would disagree with Hearn, as we’ve already witnessed the Chisora-Whyte saga. It’s a point we cover in our “Why Women’s Boxing is Better” article because fans are becoming tired of seeing the same fights time and again. A meeting with Wilder would unquestionably draw a greater interest and also a fresh face for Chisora that he hasn’t already faced.
Despite what he wants though, it seems Eddie Hearn may well get what his way with a trilogy fight versus Whyte as Wilder has just announced his next fight. Wilder will face Swedish-born Finnish heavyweight Robert Helenius (31-3, 20 KO) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on October 15th. It’s a fight that has been in the planning for some time and comes as both men look for one last chance to carve themselves another title shot before their careers inevitably draw to a conclusion with both men being aged in their mid to late-30s.
Could a Chisora fight be next for Wilder after that? Who knows. Let us know which fight you’d prefer to see in the comments below.
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I think Wilder is building up to a fight with Fury or Usyk, don’t think Chisora will get a look in.