Derek Chisora defeats Otto Wallin in UK finale

Derek Chisora drops and decisions Otto Wallin in his last ever fight in the UK

Heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora proved too much for Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin as he picked up a unanimous decision victory in his final fight in the UK, live on DAZN.

41-year-old Chisora was on top from the first bell and knocked Wallin down twice at a packed Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

The judges scored it 117-109, 114-112 and 116-110 in favour of Chisora, who took his overall record to 36 wins in 49 fights.

"I thought he was going to gas out but he didn't and I was wrong," Chisora said. "It was a firefight."

He later paid homage to the fans that turned out, "Manchester you were unbelievable. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. It meant so much to me. I love you all. Fight 49, I will never forget. I’m still buzzing from it. This game of ups and downs, I am enjoying it all. I’ll never get bored of entertaining the British public. I bring it all in for you guys and I am so grateful you let me put on a show for you."

The bout had been elevated to an IBF world title eliminator earlier in the week, with Chisora now in line to face either champion Daniel Dubois or Joseph Parker, who meet on 22 February.

Former four-weight world champion Roberto Duran, WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball, who faces TJ Doheny on 15 March, heavyweights Joe Joyce and Dillian Whyte were among those in attendance for Chisora's UK send-off.

The Zimbabwe-born Londoner was joined in the ring by UK rappers Skepta, Tinie Tempah and Chipmunk after his victory was announced as he asked fans to vote on who his next opponent for his 50th fight.

Chisora intends to retire after that, which he wants to take place overseas.

"Legacy isn't made by me - it is made by the fans," Chisora commented.

'Del Boy' set the tempo from the outset, fighting on the front foot and not allowing the taller, rangier Wallin space to get behind his jab.

Short bursts to body and head were enough to carry Chisora through the early stages and a looping right had Wallin backtracking in round three.

Chisora was cut above his right eye in round five but passed a check with the doctor in the sixth as he continued to enjoy the better of the close exchanges.

A looping right sent Wallin tumbling across the ring and down in the ninth but he was back ready to go by the count of eight.

Upon hearing the 10-second clapper in the final round, Chisora threw everything at Wallin and put down his rival, who was saved by the bell.

Chisora has faced some of the biggest names in the sport during his 18-year career, meeting Tyson Fury on three occasions, Whyte and Parker twice, and has also come up short against Vitali Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk.

It is Chisora's third win in succession after victories over Gerald Washington and Joe Joyce.

Chisora is the third man to beat Wallin following losses against fellow Brits Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Just seven of Chisora's 49 professional bouts have taken place outside of the UK and this was his fourth contest in Manchester.

His three previous fights in Manchester - two against Parker and one with Whyte - ended in defeat.

Chisora was clear that he wanted one more fight after facing Wallin and the news that this bout had been upgraded to an IBF eliminator put even more on the line for the veteran.

The Zimbabwe-born Londoner first fought for a world title in 2012 when he lost against WBC heavyweight champion Klitschko and he also came up short against Fury in 2022 with the WBC belt on the line.

A third shot at gold could be on the horizon for Chisora after he rolled back the years to dispatch Wallin.

Chisora urged the fans to help him pick his next opponent, with WBA (Super), WBC and WBO champion Usyk and former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua also in his sights.