Chisora has publicly defended Reform and Farage against allegations of racism, saying: “I don’t call it racism, I call it politics.”
For Farage, does having a prominent black British athlete by his side change the way he approaches the immigration debate? “People are surprised by the friendship but there is a prejudice out there,” Farage says. “They say Nigel doesn’t like black people but it is not the case and there is a natural prejudice against me. Derek is an example of what immigration should be, a clear example of that.”
Farage recalls one of his strongest memories with Chisora: a party in Parliament Square on the night Britain left the European Union. “It was January 31, 2020, and we’d organised a party for 100,000 people in Parliament Square and everyone was cheering, singing and celebrating. Big Ben bonged, we had just left the EU and there was Derek Chisora in a Union Jack suit doing star jumps on the stage.”
Chisora: ‘We would win World Cup if I was sports minister’
Whether you agree with their politics or their personas, there is an undeniable honesty to their bond. Farage appeals to the disenfranchised voter, while Chisora is a favourite of blood-hungry fight fans.
As they share a laugh outside York Hall, Farage jokes about appointing Chisora to his frontbench team. “Horses for courses,” he chirps. Chisora roars with laughter, a man at peace with his impending retirement.
It is a weird relationship, it is volatile, but it is quintessentially British. In boxing, the most unlikely friendships are often the most authentic. There is a genuine rapport and mutual respect between the politician and the fighter.
One ponders whether there will be a place in Reform for Chisora when he hangs up the gloves. Farage says: “Derek could have a role with us as a campaigner, absolutely, when his career is over… and in mentoring. He’s a fantastic bloke for us and a national treasure and an adored person going into his last fight and he is going to be seriously missed by the fans.”