Current WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley is calling for British boxing icon Derek Chisora to finally hang up his gloves, regardless of the outcome of his upcoming clash with Deontay Wilder.
The two veteran heavyweights—Chisora, 42, and Wilder, 40—are set to meet at London's O2 Arena this Saturday, marking the 50th professional bout for both men. Yet for Wardley, the time has come for Chisora to step away from the grueling sport.
"Derek Chisora has given his heart and soul to the sport," Wardley explained, noting that after providing years of immense entertainment, the veteran has more than earned the right to step back and enjoy his legacy.
However, Wardley acknowledges the immense difficulty athletes face when trying to walk away. He pointed out the psychological trap of retirement: losing leaves a bitter taste, while winning often tricks a fighter into believing they have one more fight left in them. According to the WBO champion, Chisora has been caught in this "never-ending cycle" for quite some time.
While Wardley admits to harboring natural concerns for the physical well-being of any fighter stepping into the ring, he knows that Chisora is a man who operates strictly on his own terms. "Derek will be Derek and do what he wants," he conceded, emphasizing that very few people have the influence to tell the 42-year-old when to stop.
A Deep Mutual Respect
The plea comes from a place of deep respect and friendship. Wardley and Chisora shared many sparring sessions during the early days of Wardley's career. The heavyweight champion fondly recalled how Chisora was one of the first people to FaceTime him with congratulations after he won the British title.
Furthermore, Chisora stood as one of the few figures outside of Wardley's immediate camp to back him heading into high-stakes matchups against Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois.
An Unlikely, Yet Intriguing Matchup
When the Chisora-Wilder bout was initially announced, Wardley admits he was caught off guard. At the time, rumors were swirling about Chisora potentially challenging Wardley for his world title, while Wilder was reportedly in the mix for a showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
Despite the initial surprise of both fighters pivoting away from those massive opportunities, Wardley now sees the logic in the pairing. With both men stepping into the ring for their 50th time, the bout ultimately boils down to who has more left in the tank.
In Wardley's eyes, the momentum favors the British veteran. He believes Chisora has faced more active and challenging opponents recently, continuously proving his resilience. According to the WBO champion, Chisora still possesses the essential energy, iron-clad durability, and heavy-handed power to give the American former champion a difficult night at the O2.