1 week ago
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Derek Chisora stunned Otto Wallin with two knockdowns on his way to a unanimous-decision victory on Saturday in his last fight in the UK.
Chisora is set to retire after his next fight, the 50th of his career, and delivered a remarkable performance despite having a cut eye for half of the fight, with the three judges scoring the bout 117-109, 114-112 and 116-110 to the British fighter.
The 41-year-old is now potentially in line for an eventual world title shot after his fight with Wallin was upgraded earlier this month to an eliminator for the IBF heavyweight title, which is held by Daniel Dubois, who takes on Joseph Parker on February 22.
“When I arrived, I said to myself I won’t cry but I started crying like a baby [before the fight],” said Chisora after the fight.
“I was in tears because I love the sport and love the fans. I love everything about it, the ups and downs.
“It was a very emotional day for me today. It was very hard. When I got the cut, then something happened in the third round which I didn’t tell my trainers, my ears popped, and I said I’m going to carry on.”
After the fight, Chisora’s camp brought photos into the ring of heavyweight champions Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk, plus Anthony Joshua.
He asked the crowd to choose who he fought next, with the Manchester spectators appearing to cheer loudest when Usyk and Joshua’s photos were held up.
Chisora has previously said he wants to fight Dillian Whyte or Francis Ngannou in his 50th fight before retirement, with the bout to take place outside the UK.
“Whatever he wants, we will make it happen. We will sit down and make it happen,” said his promoter Frank Warren.
“He’s now won an eliminator for the IBF title and that’s Daniel Dubois’, so he has that in the bank.
“Whatever he wants to do, we will do. Tonight, what a performance. I can’t tell you how proud I am of how he fought in there, Otto as well, because it takes two to make a fight.”
Skysports
English (US) ·