Safe But Controversial Miller Awaits

Derek Chisora is in negotiations to fight Jarrell Miller on December 13 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.

Will Delboy Ever Retire?

Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs) would be a safe choice for Chisora. Anyone better than that would be a nightmare for Delboy. The 37-year-old American Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs) is coming off a long layoff since his 12-round majority draw against Andy Ruiz on August 3, 2024.

This will be the 41-year-old Chisora’s 50th fight of his 18-year professional career. You can’t say for sure if Chisora will retire, because if he’s offered a nice payday, he’ll surely return.

Zhang Was Too Risky

Zhilei Zhang had been considered as an option for Chisora. That would have been a risky one for Derek to take for what could be his farewell fight. The 42-year-old southpaw Zhang can punch, and Chisora isn’t the hardest fighter to hit. By the time Zhilei gassed out, there might not be much left of Chisora’s face.

Derek’s last opponent, Otto Wallin, had him looking beat up in their fight earlier this year on February 8. Wallin isn’t a puncher, but he did a lot of damage to Chisora in losing a 12-round unanimous decision.

That fight showed that Chisora is at risk of losing to even fighters who lack power. Anthony Joshua had blown out Wallin in five rounds in 2023. Using Miller as an opponent may be a mistake for Chisora, but it might not matter given that this may be his final fight.

PED Past Still Haunts Him

The UK fans are familiar with Miller and will be tolerant of him as the opponent for Chisora. In the U.S, there wouldn’t be much interest, as Jarrell has burned his bridges with many boxing fans for his positive PED test in 2019 that wiped out a fight against Anthony Joshua in New York.

Chisora will be sharing the December 13th card with heavyweight contender Moses Itauma. With them on the same card, it’s likely to be on DAZN PPV, similar to Itauma’s last fight against Dillian Whyte.

If they stick this card on pay-per-view, fans are going to howl. Itauma has beaten nothing but tomato cans during his career. Chisora is just an old journeyman with no notable wins during his long career.

Itauma’s potential opponents

• David Adeleye
• Michael Hunter
• Zhilei Zhang

Interestingly, Itauma chose not to fight Frank Sanchez in an IBF title eliminator that would have set him up as the mandatory for champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Since 2015, Olly Campbell has brought readers a clear ringside perspective and a steady voice on boxing’s biggest nights.