Derek Chisora is out of his anticipated trilogy fight with Dillian Whyte on December 13, according to reports.
The British heavyweights were to square off in a Christmas cracker before the New Year after David Haye announced Whyte had agreed terms to be Chisora’s 50th and final opponent.
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Whyte beat Chisora both times when they fought in 2016 and 2018Credit: Getty
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The two British heavyweight giants had verbally agreed terms for a trilogy in December, but it is now reportedly offCredit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
Haye is Chisora‘s former manager and revealed during an interview that his old client wanted to have his farewell fight against Whyte because he has lost to his British rival twice.
“[Chisora’s] gonna be in great shape and with Dillian Whyte, it’s really nice to see two fighters from the same era, loads of history, and simply doing it,” Haye said.
Chisora and Whyte then verbally agreed to meet in the squared circle for one last dance before Fabio Wardley‘s emphatic win over Joseph Parker last weekend at London’s O2 Arena.
However, according to esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael, the fight is no longer going ahead in what has been an unusual development.
Derek Chisora announces date and location for 50th and final fight on same card as Moses ItaumaDerek Chisora vs Dillian Whyte reportedly off
“Per source, heavyweights Derek Chisora [and] Dillian Whyte will not only not fight for the 3rd time on Dec. 13, as had been in the works,” Rafael explained on X.
“But Chisora will not fight on that date against anybody. (I’m not yet sure of the reason).”
Fans speculated that Chisora may have sustained an injury in the last few days, but no new information has emerged.
Chisora, who turns 42 in late December, revealed in September that he wished to make a ring return one more time on December 13 in Manchester — the same card Moses Itauma is set to contest his next bout.
‘Del Boy’ had initially discussed a fight with Jarrell Miller, considered Zhilei Zhang, and even named Deontay Wilder as a suitable opponent.
But after a trilogy with Whyte, 37, was proposed, Chisora knew the fight he wanted in an attempt to extend his 36-13 professional record before retiring.
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Chisora hasn’t lost in the ring since he fought Tyson Fury in 2022 — beating Gerald Washington, Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin sinceCredit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
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Whyte, meanwhile, was stopped by Itauma in the first round of his last fight three months agoCredit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
“I want it, but the paperwork has to be right — and it isn’t yet,” Chisora said at the O2 last Saturday.
“I guarantee you the fight’s going to be amazing. Dillian’s got two over me.
“The fight will happen in December, 100 per cent, it’s going to be an explosive fight.”
Whyte responded: “I say let’s go, whatever. I take on any fight regardless.
“I just want to fight. I love fighting.”
Whyte controversially outpointed Chisora when the British giants met back in December 2016, before leaving ‘Del Boy’ unconscious in their rematch two years later.
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Chisora is reportedly off the card completely, while it is unknown whether Whyte will still feature in Manchester on December 13Credit: GettyBoxing fans react to Chisora vs Whyte trilogy being cancelled
Some boxing fans have seen the news of the trilogy being cancelled as a sign that both men should retire.
One took to X and wrote: “Yeah, no one wanted it. Chisora or Whyte should fight Miller instead.”
Another added: “Both should retire.”
While a third said: “Hopefully neither fight again.”
Others disagreed, saying Chisora vs Whyte was a great match-up for both heavyweights at this stage of their careers.
With Chisora now reportedly off the card completely, it is unknown whether his promoter Frank Warren and Queensberry will still go ahead with the Manchester show.
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