London, UK (July 27, 2024) - In a surprising turn of events, underdog Derek Chisora emerged victorious against Joe Joyce at the O2 Arena in London. The bout, although not highly impactful for the heavyweight division, was crucial for 38-year-old Joyce, who still had ambitions of climbing back to the top. For 40-year-old Chisora, it was a memorable farewell to the O2 Arena, where he had previously celebrated some of his most notable stoppages.

Despite Joyce's low-key comeback win over Kash Ali earlier this year, the fight against Chisora was a true test of what "The Juggernaut" had left following two stoppages to Zhilei Zhang in 2023. This bout marked Chisora's 48th fight, and he seemed determined to reach the milestone of 50 fights, irrespective of the outcomes.

Watched on by former opponent and World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk, Chisora started in typically aggressive fashion. However, the action was marred by frequent clinching, which prevented a clear exchange of punches. Towards the end of the first round, Joyce landed a solid left hook that visibly affected Chisora.

As the fight progressed, Chisora found a better rhythm and landed several overhand shots. However, his aggressive approach left him open to Joyce's heavy counters. Despite the messiness, both fighters managed to land significant punches. Joyce started to assert himself more effectively, using his superior fitness to gain an edge, but Chisora continued his aggressive onslaught.

The pivotal moment came in the eighth round when Joyce hurt Chisora, who seemed out on his feet. The punishment continued into the ninth round, but in a dramatic twist, Chisora scored a knockdown with a sneaky right hook, surprising everyone. Joyce, likely needing a stoppage to secure a win, was unable to turn the tide in the final round. Chisora landed the more telling blows, demonstrating his resilience and determination.

The judges scored the bout for Chisora, with scores of 97-92, 96-94, and 96-94, resulting in a unanimous decision. Both fighters expressed their intentions to continue their careers post-fight.

Chisora's victory is a significant moment in his career, proving that even at 40, he remains a formidable force in the heavyweight division. For Joyce, this loss is a setback, but his determination to fight on suggests that he still has more to give in the ring.