Chisora Announces Comeback, Targets December Showdown With Gassiev

Derek Chisora is lacing up the gloves again. The veteran British heavyweight has announced he is coming out of retirement and is targeting a December return against WBA heavyweight titleholder Murat Gassiev. Speaking at a press conference in Turkey, Chisora told Boxing Scene that he intends to face Gassiev in the UK before the end of the year. "December will be me versus Gassiev," he said. "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 WBA title Gassiev holds." Chisora appeared to have retired for good in April following his defeat to Deontay Wilder, but the 42-year-old is now plotting one more chapter in his long and colourful career. A fight with Gassiev would put a world title within reach immediately. Gassiev, the WBA heavyweight champion, has previously spoken warmly about the matchup, calling Chisora "a very entertaining fight." With the heavyweight division's other belts tied up — Daniel Dubois rematches Fabio Wardley for the WBO crown on October 17 and Tyson Fury meets Anthony Joshua for the vacant WBA "super" title on December 11 — a Chisora–Gassiev clash would add another significant date to a packed end of the boxing year.