After claiming his first victory in three years, Derek Chisora is once again an attractive proposition in the heavyweight division. Last weekend, Chisora was pushed to the limit as he managed to secure a split decision win over Kubrat Pulev in a gruelling battle.
In the fight’s immediate aftermath, the London veteran was adamant that his career will continue as he urged Eddie Hearn to try and make a fight with former WBC champion, Deontay Wilder. Here, DAZN looks at the options Chisora could pursue.
Deontay Wilder
A fight instantly shot down by Tony Bellew working in a punditry role for DAZN, Derek Chisora vs. Deontay Wilder does bring incredible risk. There’s no doubting that Chisora is at the end of his career and a contest against boxing’s hardest puncher could see him sustain plenty of damage following a run of hard fights.
Chisora, as always, would welcome the challenge, but would Wilder be interested in the bout? The Alabama puncher is desperate to return to the division's highest level and his sights could be fixed on someone further up the rankings than Chisora.
Dillian Whyte
One of British boxing’s best rivalries in recent years is Chisora against Dillian Whyte, but could hostilities be renewed? Whyte will surely want to bounce back in style after suffering a humiliating loss to Tyson Fury earlier this year and another thrilling contest taking on Chisora could be the fight to get his profile soaring once again.
The heavyweight pair delivered beyond belief in their first two meetings with Whyte getting the verdict via split decision in 2016 before securing a late stoppage two years later. Has his confidence suffered since losing to Fury or would he be able to complete a hat-trick of wins over his domestic rival?
Kubrat Pulev
With Chisora tying the series at one apiece, could a third meeting between him and Pulev appeal to boxing audiences with the hope of settling the rivalry once and for all? The bout received minor criticism in the build-up with some concerned that both men had seen better days. Once the first bell sounded, those fears were soon removed.
Chisora and Pulev left everything in the ring and their second meeting was a much better affair than their first encounter in 2016. Saturday’s contest was bruising throughout, and it could be that both men are sick of each other, but if better options don’t present themselves, this one could be worth revisiting.
Daniel Dubois
Will the holder of the WBA regular belt appeal to Chisora? The veteran Londoner has held every title in boxing except for the big one and with Dubois now able to call himself a world champion, Chisora could target him so he could complete the set.
Dubois has enjoyed a solid career since turning professional back in 2017. His 2020 loss to Joe Joyce is the only setback on his record, but he’s rebounded well since then and captured top honours against Trevor Bryan earlier this year. An all-London battle for that title would surely be big business for both men.
Retirement
Although he’s insistent that the show goes on, could a reflective Chisora perhaps call time on his career? With victory over Pulev in a pulsating contest, surely the right time to call it a day would be now? Chisora leaving with a win and enjoying the sport from the other side of the ropes in a managerial or training capacity would satisfy those closest to him, but is that what he wants?