Derek Chisora Defeats Otto Wallin in UK Farewell Fight

Derek Chisora secured a unanimous decision victory over Otto Wallin in what he declared would be his final fight in the UK. The heavyweight bout took place at a packed Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, where Chisora dominated much of the fight.

From the opening bell, Chisora was on the offensive, knocking Wallin down twice during the contest. The judges’ scorecards read 117-109, 114-112, and 116-110, all in favor of Chisora, bringing his overall record to 36 wins in 49 fights.

“I thought he was going to gas out but he didn’t and I was wrong,” Chisora commented after the fight. “It was a firefight.”

IBF World Title Eliminator

The fight had been elevated to an IBF world title eliminator in the week leading up to the event. This win positions Chisora to potentially face either Daniel Dubois or Joseph Parker, who are scheduled to fight each other on February 22.

Notable Attendees

The event drew a crowd of notable figures, including former four-weight world champion Roberto Duran, WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball, Joe Joyce, and Dillian Whyte, who were all present to witness Chisora’s UK send-off.

Post-Fight Celebration and Future Plans

Following the announcement of his victory, Chisora was joined in the ring by UK rappers Skepta, Tinie Tempah, and Chipmunk. He then engaged the fans by asking them to vote on who he should face in his 50th and final fight.

Chisora has expressed his intention to retire after his 50th fight, which he hopes will take place overseas. He emphasized the importance of the fans in shaping his legacy, stating, “Legacy isn’t made by me – it is made by the fans.”

Fight Summary

The ‘Last Dance’ fight saw Chisora dropping Wallin in both the ninth and twelfth rounds, solidifying his dominance in the ring. Chisora expressed his deep affection for boxing and his appreciation for the fans, acknowledging the emotional weight of the day.

Following the match, Chisora held up photos of potential future opponents, including Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois, seeking the crowd’s input on his next opponent. His promoter, Frank Warren, pledged to make Chisora’s chosen fight a reality, suggesting Wembley Stadium as a possible venue.

Carl Frampton offered a dissenting view, criticizing the fight’s scoring as “atrocious.”

Undercard Highlights

The event also featured several other notable fights. Nathan Heaney was stopped by Sofiane Khati in the seventh round of their middleweight bout. Jack Rafferty defeated Reece MacMillan by a seventh-round stoppage, claiming the British and Commonwealth super lightweight titles. Zach Parker secured a points victory against Mikael Diallo. Zak Miller defeated Massood Abdulah by majority decision to become the new Commonwealth and British featherweight champion. Walter Fury, cousin of Tyson Fury, maintained his unbeaten record.

The event also served to promote the upcoming Dubois-Parker fight and the Beterbiev-Bivol II rematch, both available on TNT Sports Box Office on February 22nd.

Chisora’s Performance and Future Opponents

Chisora’s victory over Wallin was marked by two knockdowns and a display of relentless pressure. Despite sustaining a cut eye during the fight, Chisora maintained his intensity and aggression.

After the fight, Chisora’s team presented photos of heavyweight champions Dubois, Usyk, and Joshua, gauging the crowd’s interest in each potential matchup. Chisora had previously mentioned Dillian Whyte and Francis Ngannou as possible opponents for his final fight.

Frank Warren reiterated his commitment to supporting Chisora’s wishes for his next fight, acknowledging his IBF title eliminator win and the opportunity it presents.