DEREK CHISORA will mark his 50th professional fight before the end of the year.
The 41-year-old heavyweight took to Instagram to announce when his milestone bout will take place.
“Let me tell you something. Are you ready? We are going back to Manchester, 13th of December – road to 50. Book your hotels, book your restaurants, me and Queensberry are coming to shut it down in Manchester 13th of December. Opponent will be announced soon. I had one but the big boss took him. Can’t really argue when the big boss says what he wants. Road to 50 in Manchester, shutdown, Last Dance 2 happening in Manchester. War!”
Who the “big boss” is remains unclear, though boxing’s most influential figure, Turki Alalshikh, would certainly fit the description.
In February, Chisora, 36-13 (23 KOs), picked up a 12-round points win over Otto Wallin at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. The Queensberry promotion was billed as The Last Dance despite it being his 49th fight.
Chisora is currently the IBF’s mandatory challenger but finds himself in a long queue of contenders waiting for a shot at undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. The British veteran has already faced Usyk once, pushing him hard before losing on points in October 2020.
In August, Jai Opetaia’s manager Mick Francis claimed Alalshikh was keen to match Chisora against the Australian cruiserweight, who holds the IBF world title.
“I’ve spoken with the IBF and said ‘if Jai goes up, where would you put him?’, and they’ve told me he would go straight to number three in their rankings. Turki Al-Alshikh also wants to make that fight with Chisora,” Francis told Fox Sports Australia.
“I’ve spoken with Queensberry too, and they’re interested. Everyone knows that fight would be massive. There would be plenty of interest.
“Although, I’d hate to think how much money Chisora would want, because he’s going to get hurt. He’d be no match for Opetaia. I know Jai would hurt him.”
Two months earlier, Chisora’s promoter Frank Warren told Boxing News he was open to a third fight against Joseph Parker, with the New Zealander having won both previous meetings.
“If we can make it, we will try,” Warren said. “But obviously, it’s all up to Derek.
“He’s the IBF mandatory challenger and that’s where he’s at. It’s got to be his choice but Chisora against Parker is a bloody good fight.”
However, Parker is now tied up. On October 25, the WBO mandatory challenger will put his world title ambitions on the line against WBA interim belt holder Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 Arena.
It remains to be seen whether Chisora will headline in Manchester on December 13 or if that honour will go to rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma who is also set to return before the end of 2025.
