Derek Chisora continues to find love with the British people after taking on all challenges, including Kubrat Pulev and Oleksandr Usyk.
The British heavyweight is potentially back in the world title picture after beating Pulev recently. However, when facing ex-cruiserweight ruler come heavyweight champion Usyk and then Joseph Parker, his career at the top level looked over.
Derek Chisora
In his twilight years as a campaigner, Chisora knows the Pulev fight was his last opportunity to earn another shot at the title.
It’s a far cry from Chisora’s old bad boy days of a decade ago.
In 2012, ‘Del Boy’ – who now likes to be known as ‘WAR’ – was cast as the super-villain. That’s when opposite the clean-cut Klitschko brothers.
The Klitschko witnessed how unpredictable Chisora could be following his antics when tackling WBC champion Vitali in a world title challenge.
Klitschko slap
However, the Briton clashed twice with WBA, WBO, and IBF title-holder Wladimir.
Reprimanded after he disgustingly spat water in the younger Klitschko’s face on the back of slapping older sibling Vitali in Germany, Chisora was subsequently defeated on points in his only world title chance.
How Chisora hasn’t earned another shot since then is anyone’s guess through an extensive career.
Haye Brawl
At the time, Chisora stated he wanted to fight Wladimir. Ultimately, fate dealt him alternative cards after a post-fight altercation with compatriot David Haye.
An astonishing brawl at the post-fight press conference almost saw both men thrown out by the British Board. They did face a suspension of their licenses.
Five months later, Haye stopped Chisora at Upton Park as the pair claimed controversial Luxembourg clearance.
Since then, Chisora has suffered further setbacks when accused of fluctuating in effort levels for certain fights.
The likable puncher has a vast UK fanbase after putting sterling performances in time after time of late. His whole future came down to Pulev.
The 38-year-old tackled another contender on the way down in a classic combination of winner-takes-all all in the fight.
Future
Calling out Deontay Wilder in the post-fight press conference was typical of Derek. He never knows when it’s time to quit or even tone down his ambitions.
“It was hard; Pulev is a great fighter,” Chisora said. “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 have 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.”
What drives Chisora is anyone’s guess, as the money has undoubtedly been better of late. His love for the sport knows no bounds and is why he’s gone from a marmite heavyweight to one of Britain’s best-loved boxers.
Phil Jay is an experienced boxing news writer.
Editor of World Boxing News since 2010.
