DEREK CHISORA AND JOE JOYCE WILL PUT ON A RIP-ROARING SPECTACLE IN A DEMOLITION DERBY THAT WILL SEE ONE OR BOTH WARRIORS BOW OUT WITH A BANG, WRITES JEFF POWELL

The two veteran fighters will look to put on another show at the O2 Arena
Derek Chisora, now 40, confirmed he would hang up his gloves after the fight
Joe Joyce could also follow him into retirement if he loses on Saturday night

Two Big Ol' Boys will knock the living daylights out of each other this Saturday night in what will be the last fight for at least one of them.

Never mind the doubts as to whether these aging pugilists should still be doing this, a rip-roaring crowd of mostly their fellow Londoners will rock up at the O2 eager to see a demolition derby.

Derek Chisora, at 40, has announced he will hang up the gloves whatever the outcome. Joe Joyce, 38, may well follow him into retirement if he loses.

One or both of them will go out with a bang. That's the way they fight. Juggernaut Joe in winning Olympic silver. War Chisora in falling gallantly short in two world heavyweight title fights.

No, they are not the best boxers on the planet. But they sure can hit and be hit. When they go down, they go down slugging.

Chisora has soaked up more of the head rattling, organ rupturing punishment. Manifestly so since this will be his 48th professional bout compared to Joyce's 18.

The War-monger has also suffered 13 defeats. Joyce has lost only twice but was battered senseless by Zilie Zhang, China's giant panda, on those two recent occasions and did not look the same in his only fight since.

Furthermore the Juggernaut, even by his own admission, is so inept at the noble art of self defence that he gets slugged far too often even when he wins.

Yet, while their ring prowess may be corroding, they will fight with huge heart even if this does prove to be what Chisora calls 'the farewell dance.'

That is reason to love them but also to fear for them. Joyce waited too long to turn pro while pursuing his Olympic dream. Chisora would have been wise to call it quits after his pal Tyson Fury gifted him a last, forlon shot at world championship glory 18 months ago in what should have been the perfect million-pounds cash-out.

The clamour of the crowd, the glare of the spotlight, the drama and thrill of it all have long been too hard for prize-fighters to resist – for too long.

None of us on the safe side of the ropes have the right to tell these warriors when to walk away. But we can give a sigh of relief when they do.

Chisora insists he will avert a 14th and final loss on his record by scoring a fifth round KO. Joyce is the favourite, not least because he is that bit younger and has suffered less wear and tear.

Either way, may it end quickly and to loud acclaim for two brave men putting on another of their thrillers.

Joyce v Chisora will be televised live this Saturday night on TNT Sports 1.

2024-07-26T17:40:04Z dg43tfdfdgfd