By Jake Donovan
Heavyweight contender Dereck Chisora offered one of the most disciplined performances of his wild career with Saturday’s 5th round stoppage of Edmund Gerber in London. For his next trick, he would love nothing more than to erase the memory of one of his most regrettable nights in the ring.
Chisora entered Saturday’s bout at a career-lightest 235 lb. His dedication to conditioning was evident from opening bell, looking sharp early and mentally focused throughout, even when suffering a brief scare in round four. His physique was a far cry of his first professional loss, coming up short against countryman Tyson Fury more than two years ago, when he came in at 261 lb, the heaviest he’s ever weighed for a prize fight.
He’s never weighed more than 252 for any given bout since then, which was his official weight for a 9th round knockout win over Hector Avila earlier this year. As sharp as he looked on Saturday, Chisora promised for better to come for as long as he has left in the sport.
“I told my team I was giving myself three (more) years in this game. I worked hard every day. My goal is to get to 15 stone (210 lb). I'm back to normal and I'm pushing on. I've woken up. My mom told me, ‘Either take this seriously or stop doing it.’ I’m taking it seriously.”
Promoter Frank Warren has unofficially targeted December for Chisora’s ring return, which would give him four fights on the year. The longtime promoter would love nothing more than give his fighter a chance at redemption, especially considering the recent change in Fury’s schedule.
“Tyson Fury doesn't have an opponent,” Warren points out, referring to David Haye pulling out next weekend’s anticipated heavyweight showdown with Fury due to inury. “Tyson Fury-Dereck Chisora in December, let's do it.”
Chisora, who has now won three straight, is game for the cause.
“Tyson is a great guy,” Chisora said of his first conqueror. “If he wants to fight, let’s do it.”
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
