Derek Chisora and Kubrat Pulev waged war on Saturday night as boxing fans in the UK lapped up a victory for their man.
Chisora took a split decision to extend his career with a first meaningful victory since 2018. In the process, the Londoner avoided his thirteenth loss and called out Deontay Wilder.
Anyone with a smidgeon of knowledge in boxing knows that facing Wilder would not go down well for Chisora. As likable as he is, even his good friend Tony Bellew said: “I don’t want to see that,” when speaking on DAZN.
Derek Chisora retire
Many believe Chisora should have retired after a third straight beating, one by Oleksandr Usyk and two by Joseph Parker. The last was conclusive, and Chisora was out on his feet more than once.
However, the sport doesn’t work like that. And Chisora wants more, as he instructed promoter Eddie Hearn. He also told Hearn he wants better paychecks for his efforts.
But one man who doesn’t want to see Chisora vs Wilder or any “WAR” fight is Hearn’s rival Lou DiBella.
Hall of Famer DiBella gave his review of the UK battle. He believes both men had no business in the ring and didn’t need encouragement for their next fights.
Chisor vs Pulev – shot fighters
I don’t care about “tough guys.” Both of these men are so, so, so shot,” observed DiBella.
“Warriors? Yes. Tough men? Yes. But the idea that this leads one man to something bigger – it shouldn’t.”
DiBella continued: “[We know] Two shot guys often make a good fight. I think many boxing people thought it’d be competitive. Chisora is never in a bad fight.
“The fight was fine. But the last thing I would want to see, though, is Chisora in with Wilder.
“I don’t really [care] what you think, but I’ve seen Chisora take so many headshots in recent years, I wish he’d retire.”
Dillian Whyte trilogy
The New Yorker isn’t the only one who wants to see Chisora walk away with a victory on his terms. He’s had so many battles over the years that his head needs the rest.
But not for Hearn, as the Essex man is already plotting to put Chisora in with Dillian Whyte for the third time. Whyte knocked Chisora out in their rematch, the last man to do so back in 2018.
Adam Kownacki, Daniel Dubois, and a revenge mission against Robert Helenius are all possible targets for the Finchley man.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.