DEREK CHISORA and his nephew witnessed British boxing’s latest tragedy from ringside but will still fight together on Saturday night.
In May, at the Harrow leisure centre, 29-year-old Sherif Lawal lost his life after suffering a brutal knockout in his professional debut.
Hampstead warhorse Chisora, 40, was ringside with 22-year-old Jermaine Dhliwayo when the tragedy struck, as the prospect and Lawal shared their St Pancras amateur gym.
And on Saturday night Dhliwayo – an electrical apprentice – will make his own professional bow after a frank talk with his uncle, a no-nonsense veteran of 47 punishing pro fights.
Chisora told SunSport ahead of his Saturday shootout with Joe Joyce: “I am nobody’s therapist!
“I went to the hospital and I spoke to the British Boxing Board of Control, I went to visit the boy’s family and spoke to his mother.
“I spoke to my nephew about it briefly, I asked him if he still wanted to fight, after seeing that.
“He said he did so I told him ‘cool, go and do your thing’.
“Formula 1 drivers go 200mph, they crash and they blow up.
“We just love the game, it’s hard but we love it. I won’t lie to you, we love the game.”
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Anyone who loves the game will love Chisora, he has taken on almost every dangerous giant of his era.
After foreign robberies against the likes of Robert Helenius and Kubrat Pulev – and violent stoppage losses against David Haye, Dillian Whyte and Tyson Fury – fight fans are rightfully worried about the fearless veteran.
The Zimbabwe-born wildman – who used to kiss, slap, spit on and throw tables at rivals – is now a dedicated father of two daughters.
And we are all starting to fear for his health and safety, especially in later life when he should be enjoying his retirement with Angelina and Harare.
But the showman – who has bravely taken world champions Vitali Klitschko and Fury the distance in valiant losses – tells us NOT to worry about the price he has paid but more the lifestyle he has earned for his family.
“Do not worry about me,” he said in an emotional chat. “Nobody anywhere needs to worry about me.
“I am the last person in the world anyone needs to worry about.
“Trust me, I am fine.
“I know what I am doing, I know what I have done, I know where I will end up.
“I prefer to keep my eye on everyone else.
“I have put my girls through private schools, I have given them the best lives I could have wished for.
“And what else is there to do after boxing?
“You see all the great guys who finish boxing – maybe a bit too early – they end up depressed and they try to heal their depression with drink and drugs.
“You have to be ready to walk away, you have to have a plan for afterwards and I am not ready yet. When I am ready you will know it.”
Chisora hit the headlines two weeks out from his Joyce battle for appearing to headbutt a Deliveroo driver in the street after an argument.
Footage shared on social media suggests he acted in self defence after the fast-food rider threw the first punches.
And SunSport understands Del Boy was angered that the electric bike was trying to zoom past children and pet dogs enjoying lunch on a narrow pedestrianised walkway.
It was a rare reminder of his old days as the bad boy of British boxing and he insists having two little girls – who witnessed the fracas – to provide for and protect has helped to tame him.
He explained: “I try to behave very well around my daughters at home, so they learn to behave that way outside of the home.
“My daughters have grown up to become very kind, really kind. But they are vicious as well!
“They have taken their kindness from their mum, they’re understanding and sharing and very calm.
“They don’t have any violence in their lives. They are very good girls.
“Having girls made me softer. But the beast in me is still there, when that switch goes, it goes.”
Chisora claims he will hang up his gloves after his 50th bout. After Joyce there will be a final trip to Manchester and his last dance will hopefully be back in Zimbabwe.
It’s probably a few fights too late for Chisora to go out on a high but he will be sorely missed after giving everything to the sport.
And despite his occasional madness, controversial comments, Nigel Farage friendship and trademark red MAGA hat, Chisora doesn’t seem to be leaving the hurt business with a single serious enemy.
“I love everybody,” he said sincerely. “We are all somebody’s son. I don’t need aggro with anyone.
“After a fight we go to see each other, we hug, we meet our families and that’s it.
“Everyone is my friend, I have no beef with anybody. But, when it is fight time, I go.”
