Derek Chisora’s 22-year-old nephew won’t let the tragedy stop him from making his boxing debut alongside his uncle on the Joe Joyce undercard

DEREK CHISORA and his nephew witnessed British boxing’s latest tragedy from ringside but will still fight together on Saturday night.

In May, at Harrow leisure centre, 29-year-old Sherif Lawal lost his life after suffering a brutal knockout on his professional debut.

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Hampstead warhorse Chisora, 40, was alongside 22-year-old Jermaine Dhliwayo when the tragedy struck, while the prospect and Lawal shared his amateur gym at St Pancras.

And on Saturday night, Dhliwayo – an electrical apprentice – will take his own professional bow after a heart-to-heart with his uncle, a no-nonsense veteran of 47 punishing professional fights.

“I haven’t spoken to him about it,” Chisora ​​tried to tell SunSport before his Saturday shootout with Joe Joyce. “I’m not anyone’s therapist!

“I went to the hospital and spoke to the British Boxing Board of Control, I went to visit the boy’s family and spoke to his mother.

“I spoke briefly to my nephew about it, I asked him if he still wanted to fight after seeing that.

“He said yes, so I told him ‘cool, go and do what you want’.

“Formula 1 drivers go at 200 mph, crash and explode.

“We just love the game, it’s hard but we love it. I’m not going to lie to you, we love the game.”

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Anyone who loves the game will love Chisora, he faced almost every dangerous giant of his time.

After foreign robberies against the likes of Robert Helenius and Kubrat Pulev – and vicious defeats against David Haye, Dillian Whyte and Tyson Fury – fight fans are worried about the fearless veteran.

The Zimbabwean-born wild man – who used to kiss, slap, spit and throw tables at rivals – is now a devoted father of two daughters.

And we’re all starting to fear for his health and safety, especially later in life when he should be enjoying his retirement with Angelina and Harare.

But the showman – who bravely took world champions Vitali Klitschko and Fury the distance in huge defeats – tells us NOT to worry about the price he paid, but more about the lifestyle he achieved for his family.

“Don’t worry about me,” he said in an emotional chat. “No one anywhere needs to worry about me.

“I’m the last person in the world anyone needs to worry about.

“Trust me, I’m fine.

“I know what I’m doing, I know what I did, I know where I’m going to end up.

“I prefer to keep an eye on everyone else.

“I put my girls in private schools, gave them the best life they could have wanted.

“And what else is there to do after boxing?

“You see all the great guys who finish boxing – maybe a little too soon – they end up depressed and they try to cure the depression with drink and drugs.

“You have to be ready to leave, you have to have a plan for afterwards and I’m not ready yet. When I’m ready, you’ll know.

Deliveroo headbutt

Chisora ​​hit the headlines two weeks after his battle with Joyce for appearing to headbutt a Deliveroo driver in the street following an argument.

Images shared on social media suggest he acted in self-defense after the fast-food delivery man threw the first punches.

And SunSport understands Del Boy was annoyed that the electric bike was trying to pass children and pet dogs eating lunch on a narrow pedestrian walkway.

It was a rare reminder of his old days as the bad boy of British boxing and he insists that having two girls – who witnessed the fight – to support and protect helped tame him.

He explained: “I try to behave very well around my daughters at home, so that they learn to behave like that outside the house.

“My daughters have grown up to be very kind, very kind. But they are also cruel!

“They inherited their mother’s kindness, they are understanding, sharing and very calm.

“They do not suffer any violence in their lives. They are very good girls.

“Having girls has made me softer. But the beast in me is still there, when that switch is flipped, it goes away.”

Last dance

Chisora ​​says he will hang up his gloves after his 50th fight. After Joyce there will be a last trip to Manchester and we hope her last dance will be in Zimbabwe.

It’s probably already too late for Chisora ​​to go out on a high, but he will be sorely missed after giving his all to the sport.

And despite his occasional madness, controversial comments, friendship with Nigel Farage and trademark red MAGA hat, Chisora ​​doesn’t appear to be leaving the pain business with a single serious enemy.

“I love everyone,” he said sincerely. “We are all someone’s children. I don’t need aggression towards anyone.

“After a fight we go to see each other, hug, meet family and that’s it.

“Everyone is my friend, I have no problem with anyone. But when it comes time to fight, I go.”

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