LONDON – Zimbabwe-born British heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora has ended his two-and-a-half-year partnership with his ex-rival David Haye.
The former rivals raised eyebrows when they joined forces in 2018 but Chisora went on to re-establish himself as a heavyweight contender.
He lost his first fight under Haye’s management to Dillian Whyte before winning three successive bouts.
But Chisora has since lost two in a row, to former undisputed cruiserweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and to former heavyweight ruler Joseph Parker.
On announcing the split, Haye said: “It’s been an action-packed couple of years, getting Derek back in the mix of the heavyweight division, taking him from “Delboy” to “WAR” mode.
“When we announced our unlikely partnership we pledged to give fight fans the big nights of heavyweight clashes they have called out for and that I believe we have achieved.
“Whilst I will no longer be managing Derek, I will naturally continue to follow and support his career with great interest.
“The UK remains at the epicentre of the heavyweight division and Derek stands ready to go toe to toe with them all. 2021 is looking very exciting for him with a number of options available.”
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And Chisora added: “Everyone close to me thought I was crazy when I told them I wanted David to manage me, but in the last two and a half years my performances in the ring have spoken for themselves.
“Giving fights fans the battles they wanted to see even when Covid-19 put a handbrake on everything. I may have been robbed against both Usyk and Parker but have developed as a fighter.
“2021 is looking very interesting, I am back in camp, ready to go this autumn. It’s time for WAR. I would like to thank David for his support (at times patience…) and guidance during our time working together.”
Haye and Chisora have a colourful history having settled their bitter feud at Upton Park in 2012.
Haye won by fifth-round stoppage in what was his first fight since he was beaten by Wladimir Klitschko in Germany.
And his win over his fellow Londoner brought an end to a rivalry which had raged since the pair brawled during a post-fight press conference.
Chisora had been beaten by long-reigning champion Vitali Klitschko in Munich when Haye punched his fellow Brit while holding a glass bottle.
They settled their differences in front of 30,000 at the then home of West Ham but while Chisora would eventually rebuild his career, Haye was blighted by injury and bowed out following back-to-back defeats by Tony Bellew.
— The Mirror
