'100 per cent, I'm out' – Derek Chisora confirms when he will retire from boxing

10/09/2024 08:00

Derek Chisora has told talkSPORT he will finally hag up his gloves once he reaches 50 professional fights.

At 40 years old, ‘WAR’ has faced persistent calls to hang up his gloves and was expected to do so after taking on Joe Joyce in July in what was Chisora’s 48th bout.

But his shock win over ‘The Juggernaut’ prompted heavyweight Chisora to insist he wasn’t finished just yet.

He said in the ring after the event: “I love you, London. I tell you what, things were off there. I had to dig deep.

“Joe’s a good fighter but I knew I was going to drop him at some stage.

“I signed with Frank Warren and we went to York Hall, I think it’s a good time to end my career with the man I started with. Thanks, Frank.

“I’ve got two fights left, I’m not retiring tonight, but this was my last London fight. I’ll go to Manchester before the end of the year.”

Having had time to think about his options, Chisora may have changed his mind regarding his retirement date.

However, Chisora confirmed on talkBOXING that he plans to get to a half century of bouts before leaving the fight game.

Host Simon Jordan began: “I don’t hear fighters that are at certain age brackets being told that potentially they’re worried for them.

“Is it because of the kind of fights you get into or because you are a national treasure?”

Chisora responded: “I don’t know, what is a national treasure? I don’t get parking tickets any more…

“To be honest, I do not know, but I’ve got 50 fights in my head. I have to get to 50.”

When co-host Spencer Oliver asked if he’ll retire after fight no.50, Chisora said: “Yes, I will. 100 per cent, I’m out.”

Chisora has a boxing record of 35-13-0 and has challenged for the WBC heavyweight title on two occasions, the most recent coming in 2022 against Tyson Fury.

The Brit has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles.

It’s not clear who Chisora will fight next, or when this will take place, but 2020 Olympics bronze medallist Frazer Clarke has opened the door at the prospect of being his next opponent.

Clarke told talkSPORT in July: “Yeah you know the way the sport is anything could happen.

“Any fights can be made, Derek is someone I look up to and he is certainly a role model of mine.

“For all the right reasons Derek is a bit crazy at times, he is a great fighter and servant to British boxing.

“Yeah, who knows? I could be in the hat for the big fight with Chisora. I’m sure that would be a great fight if it happens.

“I’ll have learned off of his fight last time, and I believe I would have the tools to get it done.”