Derek Chisora Announces Next Fight After Victory Over Joe Joyce
Derek Chisora has confirmed his plans to return to the ring in December, following his unexpected victory against Joe Joyce on Saturday evening. Chisora, who had previously stated that his bout with Joyce would mark his final appearance at The O2 Arena, delivered a remarkable performance. He floored Joyce in the ninth round, ultimately securing a win via unanimous decision.
Chisora’s Future Plans
Despite the anticipation that the fight with Joyce would be his last, the 40-year-old Chisora clarified his intentions post-match. “It’s not my last fight, I’ve got two more,” Chisora stated. “Nah, this is not my last fight. It’s my last fight in The O2 Arena, so now I go to Manchester end of the year in December.”
Joyce’s Uncertain Future
The defeat has left Joe Joyce in a precarious position. His record now includes a loss to Chisora and consecutive defeats at the hands of the formidable Chinese heavyweight, Zhilei Zhang, who recently knocked out Deontay Wilder. Despite this, Joyce expressed his desire to continue fighting. Addressing the crowd at The O2, he said, “Well, I don’t know if I’m done yet. Do you want to see more of me?” The crowd’s cheers affirmed their support, to which Joyce responded, “Well, there you go man, I’m still pretty fresh.”
Frank Warren’s Concerns
Promoter Frank Warren voiced his concerns about the toll such gruelling fights can take on fighters like Chisora and Joyce. “I’ve got to be honest, I never thought this fight would go the distance, I really didn’t,” Warren admitted. He emphasised the close nature of the fight and the potential long-term effects on both boxers, adding, “That was a brutal fight and those fights, at the end of the day, they will catch up with you. You’ve got to think about it, both of them.”
The boxing world now watches closely as Chisora prepares for his next bout in Manchester and Joyce ponders his future in the sport. With both fighters nearing the twilight of their careers, their next steps will be critical for their legacies.