Derek Chisora has faced widespread calls to retire, even from those close to him, but will defy all odds in his 49th fight this weekend.
Chisora has suffered 13 losses on his record, but has always entertained ever time he steps beyond the ropes, having fought a calibre of elite opponents throughout his career.
‘WAR’ took a beating against both Joseph Parker and Tyson Fury in 2021 and 2022 respectively, with a win over Kubrat Pulev sandwiched in between.
But after both fights including after being dropped three times by Parker, Chisora had those around him questioning if he should call it a day.
Those figures include former boxer and the icon’s friend Spencer Oliver, who contacted the Briton suggesting he should retire once the fight was done.
But Oliver insists Chisora proved him wrong with his rugged performance, and insists it his decision to continue to fight regardless of external pleas.
He told talkSPORT.com: “He lost to Joseph Parker, it was a tough fight and he went to the well and back so I text him straight after.
“I went ‘mate you’ve been a great ambassador for the sport, but now is the time to hang’ up the globes. But he rang me the next day.
“He said, ‘did you enjoy the fight?’. I said ‘yeah it was entertaining, what a fight’. He then went ‘ you’ve answered your own question then’.
“And he said ‘well there you go then, I’m not retiring, it’s not like I’m shot to bits and gone’. Since then he’s gone on to pick up some good wins.
“You can’t argue with him really. He’s still delivering despite his record, and look at his last fight with Joe Joyce.
“And the fans loved it in there so fair play to him. But I definitely think it’s the last time we see him in the UK.
“But I think we get that other fight, and it could be in Africa against someone like a Martin Bakole, it’s a wild twist in this heavyweight scene.”
And Chisora appeared to be right, picking up form when it counted there afterwards, having suggested he had more in the tank to give despite being at the twilight stages of his professional career.
He defeated Gerald Washington, albeit a lower ranked fighter, in a new comeback in 2023 to breathe life into his career again.
But in seriously impressive fashion, he beat Joe Joyce in an all-out war last year to put doubts in the minds of those who called for him to retire.
Fast forward to the present, Chisora takes on Otto Wallin in his 49th and what he plans to be his final fight on UK shores this weekend.
Incredibly the veteran could be thrown into the world title mix with a victory, with the fight declared a world title eliminator for the No.2 spot in the rankings.
Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba will fight in a final eliminator for the belt held by Daniel Dubois, which is expected to take place in May.
With a patient wait, Chisora could land at least an interim title shot, or even a shot at the full belt.
And Oliver believes he would deserve it, and it would make sense as part of his retirement plan.
He continued: “He is 41-years-old now, but he has become a bit of a national treasure, so he’s earned it.
“He’s boxed for a world title twice in elite fighters, so why not? I like the idea of that.
“He deserves it, but it is crazy, it could be an eliminator with Bakole and Ajagba fighting for that spot as well.
“And guess what if Chisora and Bakole come through, that could be the fight that happens in Africa.”
But first before the looming possibility of any big final hoorah, Chisora must focus first on the task at hand against durable Swede Wallin.
Wallin has equally fought some leading names including Anthony Joshua and mutual opponent Tyson Fury, who he famously cut and gave trouble before eventually being beaten in 2019.
Oliver believes Chisora can get the job done despite his resume.
He concluded: “Yeah I think he is the favourite but it is a very tricky one.
“One he [Walling] is a southpaw and knows his way around in the ring.
“He’s only lost to two elite fighters in Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, he’s a tricky customer.
“It’s going to be a hard fight, it is how he performs on the night that determines whether he wins.”
