No one will ever doubt Derek Chisora’s tenacity. But Chisora’s toughness was short on Saturday night in London as Tyson Fury pummeled him before the fight was mercifully stopped in Round 10.
For the third time in their careers, Fury and Chisora squared off, but unlike their first two meetings, Fury entered the ring as the best heavyweight boxer on the planet while Chisora’s prime had long since passed. In the opening rounds, The Gypsy King quickly proved his talent working off his strong jab and hammering Chisora with inside uppercuts from the first few seconds of the first round.
Chisora was never able to withstand Fury’s overwhelming onslaught. Chisora attempted to release his grip, but Fury fiercely retaliated. Chisora shelled up against the ropes, and Fury was as happy to unleash some cutting combos.
Chisora survived the canvas after receiving numerous clean uppercuts and right jabs from Fury. Chisora had blood streaming from his lips and his eyes were swollen, but his corner showed little interest in intervening to protect their fighter. Prompting the referee to step in at the 2:51 mark of the 10th round after another right hand and uppercut from Fury left Chisora reeling.
Following the fight, Fury spoke on his performance, stating, “I felt fantastic. I needed some rounds.” Take nothing away from Derek Chisora, he’s an absolute warrior. It’s been a privilege to fight him three times. He’s an absolute British folk hero. He’s grown on everyone, and we all love Derek Chisora. I hadn’t boxed in eight or nine months out of retirement. I’ve had a lot going on. I felt good in there tonight.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk, the WBA, WBO, and IBF champion, was seated ringside when Fury switched his focus to Usyk after praising Chisora on his performance. As Usyk ascended to the ring apron, Fury baited him by demanding for an undisputed title bout to follow.
Fury demanded, “Where is Oleksandr Usyk?” I’m not a bodybuilder, sucker, so I’m going to write you off. I already did one Ukrainian, Klitschko, didn’t I? And I’ll do you as well, gappy-teeth, you ugly little man. Let’s get it on. “The rabbit. Hey, rabbit. You’re next, you little bitch. You’re next. Me and you.”
Usyk remained impassive while Fury yelled at him and teased him, at one time appearing to answer a call on his cellphone. Boxing fans are most anticipating the bout with Usyk. The first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion would be crowned. But Fury also said that Joe Joyce might be the challenger for his upcoming fight.
Afterwards, Fury said that two injuries might cause his next fight to be postponed. He first claimed that punching Chisora had hurt his hand. He continued by saying that he has been experiencing issues with his right elbow, which could require surgery and keep him out of action for six to eight weeks. That would probably move the scheduled date of Fury vs. Usyk from February or March to late spring or early summer. He added that in October, he underwent surgery on his left arm.
In the undercard, Daniel Dubois returned to the ring stopping Kevin Lerena in the third round, but not without drama. Lerena downed Dubois an incredible three times in the opening frame, but after appearing to harm Dubois once more in the second, Lerena never pressed the gas pedal again. which paved the way for Dubois to drop Lerena late in the third round before the referree steeped in and waved off the action.
Marvin Valdez 