Derek Chisora was stripped of boxing licence and spared jail after attacking his girlfriend

Boxing veteran Derek Chisora is set to return to the ring on Saturday night to take on Deontay Wilder. The clash between the two heavyweight titans will take place at The O2 Arena in what could be the final chapter in Chisora’s long professional career. It marks the 42-year-old Londoner’s 50th bout.

He currently boasts a record of 36-13, having secured three wins in his last three fights, including a unanimous decision victory over Otto Wallin in February 2025. Chisora’s stellar boxing journey has seen him face the very best of his generation, including Tyson Fury for the WBC title , Joseph Parker and Oleksandr Usyk. Yet, his brilliant career has been marred by some of his behaviour and actions away from the ring, which the Manchester Evening News will now examine.

After losing his world title fight to Vitali Klitschko in February 2012, Chisora got into a violent brawl with fellow British boxer David Haye at the post-fight press conference. Chisora, who had also slapped Klitschko at the weigh-in and spat in his brother Wladimir’s face, had his licence stripped by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) the following month. Haye and Chisora met in the ring at Upton Park in July 2012 to settle their feud but controversially had to use Luxembourg licenses, due to Chisora's being withdrawn and Haye not holding one, having technically retired.

Former WBA champion Haye stopped Chisora in five rounds in east London. Officials initially suggested Chisora could be out of action for a few years but his British boxing licence was reinstated in March 2013, allowing him to resume his career in the UK. The north London boxer was found guilty of assaulting his then-girlfriend, Yalda Kontratchy, in 2010.

Chisora, then 26, was spared jail time after being hit with a 12-week prison sentence suspended for two years following the attack in May 2010. He slapped the woman in the face after finding texts from a man on her phone while she was in the bathroom, a court heard. Darren Watts, prosecuting, explained that Chisora grabbed her by the arms and threw her to the side of the bed, saying: "

You cheated on me." Promoter Frank Warren was in court and handed the judge a letter in support of Chisora. The boxer was ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation and £500 costs. He was also told he must complete 150 hours of community work. The judge described the attack as an "ugly incident," adding: "

You clearly have a problem with violence and that has got to stop or your career will be over." The court was told that the fighter had previous convictions for public order offences, assaulting a police officer and possession of an offensive weapon. In July 2024, Chisora was filmed headbutting a Deliveroo driver after a row broke out between the pair.

The heavyweight was enjoying a meal with his two daughters in Hampstead, London, when he took issue with the delivery driver cycling down the narrow street. Chisora reportedly asked him politely to dismount his bike as there were dogs and children in the area. But tensions between the pair soon escalated, with a viral video on social media showing the argument breaking out.

There were shouts of "

Get the f*** off me, bro" and "I swear, get off me now." The cyclist then put his hands on Chisora before the fighter headbutted him and stood over the stricken driver. There were audible gasps from onlookers, with one yelling: "

Get out!" Police were called to the scene but no action was reportedly taken against Chisora.