SOMETHING happened to Derek Chisora in the month of July. It is difficult to know exactly what, but, according to history, in the month of July that his relevance increases, the light that moves over him grows stronger, and Chisora himself works with great energy; selling power, pulling power, drilling power.
Indeed, the month of July is when Chisora usually does his best work and produces his best results. It is in the month of July that Chisora grows up and lives, a sight that has never been more important than today, when many suggest that, in boxing terms, there is no life left in him at the age of 40.
In fact, if there is anything that can dominate Chisora at this stage, it is probably the prospect of a big fight in July. He has experienced this many times in the past, of course, and it is true that fighting in July has often not served him well.
In 2022, for example, July's victory against Kubrat Pulev breathed new life into a career that many felt was over, and the added luxury of fighting at the O2 Arena, his favorite, seemed to add to Chisora's motivation that night. It was not good, no, and Pulev's victory did not give us reason to believe that Chisora was revived in any way, but nevertheless he dragged the game without him when it was most needed; this he does in his favorite month and in his favorite place.
There was also July's stunning beating of Artur Szpilka – back in 2019 – which many would argue represented the last time we saw Chisora break out and destroy. Like Pulev's win, that second-round demolition of Szpilka took place at London's O2 Arena, but, in contrast Pulev's victory, there was a feeling that Chisora had the energy and the fire and could still live up to his nickname “War” in this, the last stage of his fight.
Before that, and again in July, we all watched Chisora stop Carlos Takam in stunning fashion in the eighth round of a back-and-forth clash in 2018. This, too, was the grape Chisora, the scorching heat of the July night. The O2 Arena unleashed a wild and animal element on him and finally inspired him to turn the tables when things seemed to be sticking in the eighth round. The success of his career in many aspects, Chisora will eventually build his reputation by winning like that one Takam; his ability to gather and wrest victory from the jaws of defeat proves to be both a blessing and a curse in what, for Chisora, has been a dangerous game of longevity.
Derek Chisora falls to Kubrat Pulev (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
You'll get another July win from Chisora, too, by the way. Respectable and ordinary. You'll also get a few epic battles and epic defeats, crushes and career-defining feats in equal measure.
The first time he fought Tyson Fury, for example, was on a July night in 2011. This, it is important to note, was a fight that took place at Wembley Arena rather than the O2 Arena, however it would still be hard to argue that this was the case. it influenced the outcome itself. In fact, Chisora, much younger, was following Fury for most of their British and Commonwealth heavyweight title fight, although he was more competitive that night, that July night, than he would have been when he shared the ring with Fury. in their next two encounters.
Similarly, Chisora fighting David Haye at Upton Park, the former home of West Ham, on a July night in 2013 had no effect on the outcome there, either. Instead, the left hook with which Haye cracked Chisora's chin in the fifth round proved crucial and, when it landed, appeared to end not only the two's rivalry but any possibility of Chisora continuing as a title act in the future.
Derek Chisora (Getty Images)
That he was able to defy these expectations is a testament to his reinvention, one might suggest. Because no matter what happens to him in battle, and no matter how many miles are added to his clock in the process, Chisora has developed the ability to come back alive and when it counts; usually in July, and usually at the O2 Arena. It is there, in fact, in that month and in that place, whatever remains of Derek Chisora can be found. It can be found in the slow movements of his feet and hands and can be found in the sounds of “Oooooooh Derek Chisooooooraaaaa” from fans eager to keep him plugged in and charged, reluctant to accept his dead battery.
This July, in particular, has already been big for Chisora, 34-13 (23). If Nigel Farage and his Reform party weren't giving credit before the general election, a Deliveroo rider in Hampstead was caught on camera for riding his bike on the pavement. He changes, in other words; getting ready. He is itching that something is happening and he is itching for war. You know that time is now and time, too, is running out.
Indeed, he probably has one July fight left for him, and with one fight left at the O2 Arena, Chisora's next opponent, Joe Joyce, should at least be wary of what could happen this Saturday (July 27) when the two meet. meet in a heavyweight 12-rounder of fitness and questionable taste. Because even if his time is over, which it is, all the ingredients are there for Chisora on Saturday to remind him of the better times and the time when summer offers less chance of rain.
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