Pumped-up Derek Chisora says he will not retire after stunning Joe Joyce at London’s O2 arena

With 47 professional fights under his belt, Derek Chisora has no plans to stop any time soon. Despite being 40 years old, Chisora told the crowd at the O2 Arena on July 27 that he is not close to retiring.

Rumors of a potential retirement started when the former two-time world title challenger billed the fight as his 'final war at the O2 Arena.' Chisora addressed the crowd after his stunning win over Joe Joyce in the main event of the night, clarifying that he meant it was just his last fight in the iconic arena and not of his career.

Chisora said:

"This was not my last fight, I got two more... [This was] my last fight in the O2 Arena. So now I go to Manchester [at the] end of the year in December."

Chisora first challenged for a world title in 2012 against then-champion Vitali Klitschko, losing by unanimous decision. A full decade later, 'War' found himself in competing for the WBC heavyweight championship for a second time but lost again to Tyson Fury by 10th-round TKO.

Chisora went through a rough patch from 2020 to 2022, going just 1-4 in that time but the win over Joyce puts him on the first winning streak of his career since 2019.

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Derek Chisora's strength of schedule

Derek Chisora has never been a world champion, nor has anyone ever seen him that way, but has managed to remain at the top of the heavyweight division for over 10 years.

Despite having an inconsistent record, Chisora has fought nearly every top heavyweight of the current era. In a time when boxers are criticized for handpicking matchups, the Zimbabwean will likely never get enough credit for his tough strength of schedule.

Of the best fighters he has fought, Chisora has notable wins over Joe Joyce, Kubrat Pulev, and David Price.

Entering July 27, Joyce was ranked at No. 8 in the division by the WBC, likely putting the 40-year-old back into the top 10 late in his career.