Joe Joyce vs Derek Chisora tips: Careers on the line in heavyweight slugfest

Whether you like the man or not, you have to admit that Chisora is special. If you disagree, then explain how a 40-year-old with 13 defeats on his record is the main event at a 20,000-capacity arena.

The Zimbabwe-born boxer has attained a legendary status through years of knockouts, tear-ups and controversial moments. Incredibly, there's more to come.

While many have called for him to retire, Chisora is set to lace up his gloves one more time against another top British talent.

Joyce is just two years Chisora’s junior and comes into this bout on the back of back-to-back knockout defeats to Zhilei Zhang.

That was a lie. Joyce did pick up a victory over Kash Ali since then, but the fight was so dull, we weren’t sure if anyone had remembered it.

While it may not appear so at first, Saturday’s showdown has a lot at stake for both men. In fact, it’s possible that the loser of this bout may never step through the ropes again.

Chisora is adamant that he still has two fights left in him. However, should he endure a heavy defeat, you’d think that will be it for Del Boy.

The 40-year-old has won two of his last six bouts, including his most recent outing against Gerald Washington and you'd think that a win for Chisora could set the heavyweight up for one last hurrah. One last big money bout.

For Joyce, the stakes are similar. A win on Saturday could put the 38-year-old on a path to some big domestic and international bouts. He may even feature on one of the big-money Saudi cards.

A defeat, however, would leave the Olympic silver-medallist in a hole.

Looking at this fight from a betting perspective, we’re backing this slugfest to go the full 12 rounds.

Five of Chisora’s last six fights all went to the scorecards. Meanwhile, Joyce was forced to wait until the final round before stopping Ali in his last outing.

In fairness, Joyce will be far more motivated for this fight, and we expect him to arrive in better shape.

With that in mind, if you push us for a winner, we’re backing the 38-year-old to get his arm raised.

 

Suggested bet

Joe Joyce to win

Fight to go the distance