Derek Chisora says he will face Murat Gassiev in December

Derek Chisora says he will fight Murat Gassiev in December, with London and Manchester under consideration to host the heavyweight contest.

The 42-year-old outlined his plans at an International Boxing Association press conference in Istanbul on Tuesday. An exact date and venue were not included in the announcement.

“In December it will be me versus Gassiev,” Chisora said, according to the IBA’s account of the press conference.

IBA president Umar Kremlev backed the proposed matchup.

Chisora plans return after Wilder defeat

Chisora’s last appearance ended in defeat by Deontay Wilder in April, in the British fighter’s 50th professional contest.

Although that bout had been billed as a farewell, Chisora has continued to pursue another fight. Gassiev would give him a fresh opponent following a career that has included meetings with Tyson Fury, Vitali Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk.

Chisora said he wanted both IBA and WBA belts at stake in December, although the announcement did not establish the final sanctioning arrangements.

Gassiev awaits WBA clarification

The proposed fight comes as Gassiev seeks clarity over his WBA championship status, following reports that Fury and Anthony Joshua will contest the organisation’s ‘Super’ title.

That leaves the championship position as a separate issue to resolve alongside the date and venue for Chisora’s planned return.Derek Chisora says he will face Murat Gassiev in December