In a gripping showdown at London’s O2 Arena, veteran boxer Derek Chisora outpointed Joe Joyce in a competitive, hard-hitting bout that showcased the determination of both heavyweights. Chisora, 40, delivered a solid performance, dropping the 38-year-old Joyce in the ninth round during a contest filled with powerful exchanges.
While both fighters landed significant punches, moments of concern arose as they absorbed considerable damage, leading to uncomfortable viewing for fans. Chisora ultimately secured a unanimous decision victory, with the judges scoring the fight 96-94, 96-94, and 97-92. After the match, Chisora reflected on his performance, stating, “I haven’t boxed for a year, but I had to dig deep. I was fit, but Joe is a good fighter. I knew I was going to drop him at one stage.”
This fight, which Chisora labeled as his tenth and final appearance at the O2 Arena, marked the 35th win of his 17-year professional career, setting his record at 35 wins and 13 losses. For Joyce, who once held a reputation as a dangerous contender in the heavyweight division, this defeat serves as a harsh reality check, as it marks his third loss in his last four fights.
The undercard featured impressive performances, including 23-year-old Dennis McCann clinching the European super-bantamweight title with a points victory over Ionut Baluta, and Ryan Garner successfully defending his WBC International title against Archie Sharp. Unbeaten heavyweight Moses Itauma, only 19 years old, knocked out 44-year-old Mariusz Wach in the second round, while Aadam Hamed, son of legendary boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, secured his second professional win by outpointing Georgi Velichkov.
Even though the O2 Arena’s upper tier was closed off due to lower attendance, the energy soared when boxing superstar Oleksandr Usyk made a surprise appearance, igniting cheers from the crowd. As both Chisora and Joyce entered the ring, the atmosphere intensified, with Chisora soaking in the support of his fans.
From the very beginning, the two fighters engaged in a fierce exchange, disregarding defense as they swung for the fences. Chisora landed a significant overhand right in the fourth round, stunning Joyce, while Joyce retaliated in the seventh with a forceful left hook. As Joyce gained momentum in the eighth, Chisora turned the tide with a straight left in the penultimate round, sending Joyce to the canvas.
Despite feeling fatigued, Chisora managed to maintain control in the final round, closing the fight on a high note. This victory may mark a turning point in Chisora’s career, as he has faced calls to retire over the years, yet this win marks the first time he has secured back-to-back victories in nearly five years.
Chisora stated confidently, “It’s not my last fight – I’ve got two more. It’s my last fight in the O2 Arena. I’ll go to Manchester in December.” Meanwhile, Joyce’s future remains uncertain as he grapples with the fallout from back-to-back stoppage losses and evaluates his next steps in an unforgiving heavyweight landscape.
Credit: BBC Sport
