Chisora, 42, to face Murat Gassiev in December after rejecting retirement

Derek Chisora said at a news conference on Tuesday that he is not retiring and plans to fight Murat Gassiev in December. The 42-year-old Briton had been expected to retire after his April loss to Deontay Wilder, which was promoted as his 50th and final fight.

Chisora, who made his professional debut in 2007, has 36 wins in 50 fights. Several of his recent bouts were billed as farewell fights, and he has repeatedly been urged to retire because of his age. Despite those calls, Chisora has declined to confirm his retirement since the Wilder contest.

At the news conference Chisora set out proposed arrangements for the December return, saying, "December will be me versus Gassiev," and adding, "We're going to decide where, either in London or Manchester. We're going to put two belts on the line, I believe, the IBA and the one Gassiev holds." He also commented on the IBA's role, saying, "What people have to understand is that what the IBA does is unbelievable. I believe this goes deeper than that we're doing here right now. I believe it's going to get better and better. In December we'll be fighting."

Murat Gassiev is currently described in the conference as the WBA 'super' heavyweight world champion, but his status was reported as unclear after claims that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua would be fighting for his world title in their contest on 11 December. The Russian fighter said on Tuesday he was unsure if he remained the WBA's world champion. Gassiev's recent fights have been organised under the IBA banner and he was upgraded to the WBA 'super' champion in June after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt.

The news conference was hosted by the IBA, the body that the International Olympic Committee stripped of its status as amateur boxing's governing body in 2023; the IBA has since been staging professional bouts. Chisora defended his decision to continue competing, saying, "I never said I was retired. They (the organisers) said '50 last dance'" and later adding, "So this is the Last Dance 3. Listen, trust me, I'm a seller, I sell. That's my job."

Chisora insists the December matchup with Gassiev will go ahead with the venue to be decided between London or Manchester and with two belts expected to be at stake: the IBA title and the belt Gassiev currently holds.