Derek Chisora is set to face Otto Wallin in the penultimate fight of his career, and final fight in the UK.
Chisora, never one to shy away from a challenge, comes off the back of an impressive win over Joe Joyce, who, prior to two losses to Zhilei Zhang, was viewed as world-level having stopped Joseph Parker.
Chisora, 35-13, has a somewhat deceptive record. Despite the amount of losses, ‘Del Boy’ has been in with some of the best names in the division and has been on the wrong side of some close decisions, and some controversial ones.
The Brit has shared the ring with the likes of Oleksandr Usyk, Vitali Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, Kubrat Pulev, Joseph Parker, Tyson Fury, and many more, but is facing what will be at this stage of his career, one of his toughest fights yet.
Otto Wallin comes in with a 27-2, with his only two losses coming at the hands of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Wallin’s loss to Fury is still debated in some circles, as many believe the fight should have been stopped due to a severe cut sustained by Fury.
Chisora was initially set to face Jarrell Miller, though due to contract disputes this never came to fruition.
Industry Predictions for Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin
Frank Warren
Warren spoke highly of the fight, suggesting the “styles will gel” and that the Brit is “gonna put it on him”. Speaking of Wallin, Warren said: “He’s got to be at his best, and at his best he’s not a bad fighter [..] I know this is gonna be a good fight”.
Zhilei Zhang
‘Big Bang Zhang’ spoke highly of Chisora: “He’s been there, done that, and he’s never quit […] Otto Wallin on the other hand is young and he’s coming for the win […] I wish them good luck”.
Eddie Hearn
“I think it’s a very tough fight for Derek, because, when I worked with Derek he said he’d kill me if I put him in with a southpaw,” said Hearn.
He concluded, “tough tough night for Derek but hopefully he can do the business”.
Frazer Clarke
Clarke spoke on how tough a fight this is at this stage in Chisora’s career, but shed light on how Chisora was there for him after his loss to Fabio Wardley, and expressed his desire for ‘Del Boy’ to win.
“In my head, in my heart, they have a tough fight […] eight rounds in Chisora has one of them Takam moments and sails away into the sunset […] I’ll go into the changing room and give him a big cuddle”.
Otto Wallin has expressed that “my style is not good for him […] but Derek is a really tough guy”, whilst Chisora is adamant that he can get the job done.
Chisora has stated he will retire once he has fought fifty times, with his final fight being planned for Africa. He’s expressed that it is “very emotional” as he prepares to go into his penultimate fight.
Follow NoSmokeBoxing on X.
