Wanting to “Feel That Pain Again” Derek Chisora Reveals Why He Banned His Own Kids From Attending Otto Wallin Fight

“I have to get to 50.” That was Derek Chisora’s reply when he was asked about his retirement plans in September. When the talkBOXING co-host asked him again if he was actually retiring after his 50th fight, the ‘War’ reiterated his stance: “Yes, I will. 100 percent, I’m out.” Now on the precipice of his 49th fight, it seems he is truly ready to close curtains on his storied boxing career.

His upcoming bout against Otto Wallin, scheduled for February 8 at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, is his final appearance in the ring in the UK. For Chisora, this 49th fight—and possibly his final one on the UK soil represents more than just another contest. It’s a defining moment in his career, one he’s eager to approach with unrelenting intensity. As a result, the British champion in an interview confessed that he wanted to go out with a bang, feeling every punch, every ounce of pain—no holds barred.

Derek Chisora wants to “go nuts”

When Dev Sahni, the boxing host for the Queensberry Promotions, in an interview with Derek Chisora and Otto Wallin, asked Chisora about his preparations for the fight, the Zimbabwean-British confessed, “It’s gonna be very emotional, you know. So emotional that even my kids are not coming to this.”

Why would Chisora not want his kids to see him fight for the last time in the UK? Because he wants to go all out. “I want to go nuts. I want to go mad. So for me to go mad in the ring, I have to be so well prepared. My work has already started,” the 40-year-old explained.

For Derek Chisora, the reasoning is clear. “I know it’s gonna get worse and worse and worse. And I’m prepared for that. I want to feel that pain one more time,” he declared. In an attempt to make his last fight a spectacle, Derek Chisora is ready to put it all on the line. For him, the upcoming match is nothing less than war.

Meanwhile, his opponent, Otto Wallin, is as equally motivated as him for the matchup. The Swedish heavyweight is returning to the ring after a year-long hiatus following his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2023.

Why Chisora is the perfect opponent for Otto Wallin

During their official press conference in late November, Otto Wallin explained why he is as eager to fight Chisora as Chisora is to fight him. When asked why the former British heavyweight champion was the perfect match-up for him, the Sundsvall native explained, “I think he’s entertaining. He always goes to war… He has a style that suits me pretty well. And he’s a little bit smaller than me. So I think it is to my advantage.”

The 34-year-old’s appreciation for Derek Chisora’s fighting spirit is matched by his confidence in his own abilities. With both fighters intent on leaving it all in the ring, fans can expect an explosive encounter. For Otto Wallin, it’s a chance to reclaim his standing among the heavyweight elite, while for Derek Chisora, it’s an opportunity to finish off his career in style.

As the fight date approaches, the anticipation among boxing enthusiasts continues to build. Derek Chisora’s decision to keep his children away from the spectacle highlights the emotional stakes, while Otto Wallin’s eagerness to return to the ring after a challenging year underscores his hunger for redemption.

What do you think about Chisora’s decision to ban his kids from attending the fight?