Derek Chisora’s Bold Challenge to Oleksandr Usyk
On February 11, 2025, Derek Chisora, the feisty and often controversial British heavyweight boxer, turned to social media to issue a challenge to the reigning WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk. Chisora, who has a record of 36-13 with 23 knockouts, posted a message on Twitter that read, "Hello Oleksandr 🥊," accompanied by a picture of himself, seemingly in an attempt to reignite interest in a rematch. This provocative gesture comes four years after their initial bout on October 31, 2020, at the Wembley Arena in London, where Usyk, undefeated with a record of 23-0 and 14 knockouts, edged out a close 12-round unanimous decision with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 117-112. Chisora, however, remains convinced that he deserved to win that fight, and his recent post suggests he is still hungry for that elusive victory.
Thefighters Chisora Wants to Face
Despite his uneven record, Chisora has made it clear that he is not just looking for any fight. In his social media posts, he specifically named Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois as the three fighters he is interested in facing next. Interestingly, when the name Martin Bakole was suggested as a possible opponent, Chisora dismissed the idea outright. He is clearly chasing the big names, the marquee fights that could bring him more than just a win; they could offer him a payday and the chance to cement his legacy. Chisora, who is already quite wealthy with an estimated fortune of $15 million, is not driven by financial need but rather by the thrill of competing against the best.
The Reality of Chisora’s Pursuit
Chisora’s pursuit of these high-profile fights, however, is a forlorn one. The boxing world, particularly fans, has little interest in seeing Usyk or any of the big three fighters face Chisora. Usyk, in particular, is a skilled and refined boxer who has consistently outclassed his opponents. The idea of him stepping into the ring with a 41-year-old fighter who has already accumulated 13 losses and no truly significant wins seems almost absurd. Despite Chisora’s bravado and his recent victory over Otto Wallin, the reality is that his face was badly swollen after the fight, a clear indication of the punishment he endured. The claim that Wallin’s damage was due to a clash of heads was met with skepticism, as Wallin is not known for his punching power. The fight was more of a showcase of Chisora’s durability than his skill, and the British media’s portrayal of it as a heroic effort was more a testament to careful matchmaking than genuine competition.
Chisora’s Recent Performance
Chisora’s recent performance against Otto Wallin on February 4, 2025, highlighted the decline in his boxing capabilities. At 41 years old, Chisora was visibly vulnerable, taking a significant amount of head shots and looking more like a punching bag than a formidable opponent. While he managed to secure the decision, it was clear that Wallin, who is not considered a top-tier heavyweight, was the ideal opponent for Chisora at this stage of his career. The British media’s celebration of this win as a heroic feat was a bit of a stretch, given the context of Wallin’s boxing profile and Chisora’s previous losses. It underscores the fact that Chisora’s days of competing against the elite are likely behind him.
The Chances of a Title Shot
Among the big three fighters Chisora is eyeing, a title shot against Daniel Dubois, the current IBF mandatory challenger, is the most plausible, although it is far from guaranteed. Chisora can potentially secure a fight with Dubois, but it is likely to be a couple of fights down the line. Given Chisora’s age, waiting until 2026 or 2027 for this opportunity is a significant risk. The chances of him emerging victorious in such a fight are slim, especially considering his recent performances and the caliber of Dubois. Chisora will have to continue fighting other boxers to stay relevant, and the odds are that he will face more losses unless he continues to be matched against second-tier opponents.
Chisora’s Career Legacy
Derek Chisora’s career is marked by a mix of resilience and controversial moments. Among his best career wins are victories over Kubrat Pulev, Joe Joyce, David Price, Artur Szpilka, Carlos Takam, Malik Scott, and Danny Williams. These wins, however, came against fighters who were either past their prime or not considered top contenders in the heavyweight division. Chisora’s persistence in chasing big fights, even at his advanced age, is a testament to his unyielding spirit and his desire to leave a lasting impact on the sport. While the likelihood of securing a rematch with Usyk or a title shot against Joshua or Dubois is low, Chisora’s determination to keep pushing himself is something that cannot be overlooked. His recent social media challenge to Usyk may not result in a fight, but it certainly adds to the colorful narrative of his boxing journey.
