Derek Chisora

Dillian Whyte, Dereck Chisora heading in separate directions: Whyte-Ortiz and Chisora-Helenius II?

Dillian Whyte, Dereck Chisora heading in separate directions: Whyte-Ortiz and Chisora-Helenius II?

It seems fans who were hoping to see an immediate return meeting between intense British heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora will be disappointed. For although a rematch of the terrific 12 round battle the two engaged in back in December will always be a possibility, the two contenders have separate bouts in the pipeline.

According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Whyte, who aims to get himself in line for a world title shot this year, could face Cuban southpaw Luis Ortiz soon. Speaking with Sky Sports, the Matchroom boss laid out the plans for the once-beaten Whyte.

Dereck Chisora says if Dillian Whyte “runs away from rematch” he will go after return fight with Robert Helenius

Dereck Chisora says if Dillian Whyte “runs away from rematch” he will go after return fight with Robert Helenius

It’s been just over two months since the brutally entertaining British heavyweight slugfest between bitter rivals Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora, and fans are eager to see what the two warriors do next; whether they will meet in a return fight or go a different route. Chisora, who lost a razor-thin, debatable 12 round split decision, wants the rematch but – as he explained to Sky Sports – he doesn’t think Whyte wants it.

Dereck Chisora, Dillian Whyte both promise KO victory in rematch; Chisora says rematch has to happen

Dereck Chisora, Dillian Whyte both promise KO victory in rematch; Chisora says rematch has to happen

It was without a doubt THE best heavyweight fight of last year. It was the 12 round war rival British heavies Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora engaged in in December, and almost as soon as the oh, so close points victory was awarded to Whyte, fans began asking for a part two.

In fact, according to Chisora – who believes he should have had his hand raised after the 36 minutes of electrifying warfare was over, not Whyte – people are going up to Whyte on an almost permanent basis, telling him he lost and that he should fight the return fight.

Charles: Chisora has got at least 24-36 months left in his career

Charles: Chisora has got at least 24-36 months left in his career

Trainer Don Charles admitted to Sky Sports yesterday how he once had to question his ability to take his heavyweight, Dereck Chisora, as far as Chisora wants to go. It was after the second loss to Tyson Fury (just the second stoppage defeat of Chisora’s pro career) that Charles walked away – temporarily.

Chisora soon reunited with Charles and the result was the terrific performance a fully committed Chisora gave in his FOTY contender with Dillian Whyte. Chisora, 32, lost the fight via split decision, but the war was so brutal and so close it could have gone either way – Charles had it a draw, which probably would have been the fairest result, what with the two British heavies going tooth and nail for all 12 rounds, seemingly impossible to split as they were on December 10th.

Dillian Whyte-Dereck Chisora rematch would be BIG says Hearn, could sell out The O2

Dillian Whyte-Dereck Chisora rematch would be BIG says Hearn, could sell out The O2

Fight fans roared their approval over the December 10 under-card at The Manchester Arena; both during the action that supported the headline act that saw Anthony Joshua blast out Eric Molina and afterwards. There have been no complaints about having parted with pay-per-view cash for the card, despite the disappointing (if predictable) headline fight.

The fan approval largely stemmed from the quite fantastic FOTY candidate that was the heavyweight war between bitter British rivals Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora. Indeed, this fight stole the show, leaving fans, pundits and experts alike breathless. The call for a rematch began almost immediately and promoter Eddie Hearn says it is definitely a possibility for next year – only this time, the fight will be deservedly elevated to headline status.

Moorer-Cooper, Jefferson-Harris, Foreman-Lyle – is the brutal Whyte-Chisora scrap worthy of being ranked alongside these epic slugfests?

Moorer-Cooper, Jefferson-Harris, Foreman-Lyle - is the brutal Whyte-Chisora scrap worthy of being ranked alongside these epic slugfests?

Praise continues to come in, justifiable praise at that, for the quite incredible twelve-round slugfest British heavyweights Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora gave us on Saturday night in Manchester. Promoter Eddie Hearn called the give and take, two-way barnburner one of the best heavyweight fights he has ever seen. And this was not mere hyperbole intended to sell tickets – the fight is in the history books now.

However, there could be a part-two – providing the two rivals who knocked lumps out of each other for the full 36 minutes of blistering action have the energy and the desire to go through such hell again – as victor Whyte said yesterday.

Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte give us a Fight of The Year candidate!

Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte give us a Fight of The Year candidate!

In a great, great heavyweight slugfest that exceeded all the hype, Dillian Whyte closely out-pointed bitter rival Dereck Chisora via 12-round split decision tonight in Manchester. These two went AT IT from the first bell to the last and we have not seen heavyweight action like it in a long time.

Eventually, after too many switches of momentum to keep up with, younger man Whyte edged the thriller via scores of 115-113 and 115-114. The third judge had it 115-114 for Chisora.