After a run of three straight victories, Derek Chisora is ranked as the number two heavyweight contender with the IBF. Now, ‘Del Boy’ has named whom he believes to be the top five active fighters in his division.
Chisora was encouraged to retire by the masses when he failed in a second world title challenge of his career against Tyson Fury back in 2022.
However, the heavyweight veteran has since proved his doubters wrong, overcoming each of Gerald Washington, Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin to fight his way back into title contention.
Although, despite his ranking, 43-year-old Chisora has vowed that his showdown with Deontay Wilder next weekend will be his last, even if victorious, as he hangs up the gloves after professional bout number 50.
Still, for Wilder, the clash represents a monumental opportunity for him to re-emerge as a threat to the heavyweight ranking and take Chisora’s place in the world ratings, with victory likely to tee up a world title shot, despite losing four of his last six contests.
Irrespective of the ill-form of ‘The Bronze Bomber’, Chisora told DAZN Boxing that the American is still amongst the top five active heavyweights in the sport, when listing the division’s best operators.
“My top five heavyweights in the world right now are Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and myself.”
Unified champion Usyk remains the king of the division, and the despite Fury and Joshua having mixed form in recent years, they still find a place in Chisora’s list, with the likes of Fabio Wardley, Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma all omitted – the veteran Brit appears to favour longevity over current form.
Chisora’s clash against Wilder takes place at the O2 Arena on Saturday, April 4, topping a bill that also features an intriguing scrap between Viddal Riley and Mateusz Masternak.
