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Derek Chisora still hurting after defeat to Dillian Whyte but intends to fight on, says trainer Don Charles

Derek Chisora
Image: Derek Chisora wants to continue his career after loss to Dillian Whyte in December

Derek Chisora is still "hurting" after his rematch defeat to Dillian Whyte, but he intends to "fight on", says long-term trainer Don Charles.

Chisora had earned a lead over Whyte from two of the judges until being deducted a second point in the 11th round, and any debate about a decision was rendered meaningless when Whyte then delivered a fight-ending left hook at The O2 in December.

After undergoing medical checks, Chisora met with Charles to discuss his career and the 35-year-old heavyweight has dismissed any thoughts of retirement.

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Whyte brought a dramatic end to his second fight with Chisora in the 11th round

"One thing that's been ascertained, is Derek Chisora is not retiring, he wants to fight on," Charles told Sky Sports.

"He's a very proud man and obviously if he said he wasn't hurting, that would be a lie. I know my boy really well, it's hurting. He's putting a brave face on.

He will repair and he'll be back, especially now with the inclusion of David Haye, the new regime, the discipline that David has brought into Chisora's life.
Don Charles on Derek Chisora

"The same way as a coach, I'm hurting, but I have to put a brave face on publicly. It hurts, but we've been here before.

"We will repair. He will repair and he'll be back, especially now with the inclusion of David Haye, the new regime, the discipline that David has brought into Chisora's life. If he can build on this, then I think Derek Chisora is a force to be reckoned with, within this current market."

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Chisora had received his first point deduction in the eighth round for a head-butt, with Charles accepting the ruling of referee Marcus McDonnell, but the experienced cornerman questioned the second punishment in the 11th.

Derek Chisora, Dillian Whyte
Image: Chisora was docked two points by referee Marcus McDonnell

"Mr McDonnell is a strong, firm and fair referee," said Charles.

"I really hate complaining, a poor excuse, we should have kept our discipline, but the referee panicked my fighter, in my opinion.

"He panicked Derek, because Derek was paranoid going into that fight, based on the last fight with Dillian Whyte, which we felt we won, and Derek complained about it.

Derek Chisora, Dillian Whyte
Image: Chisora had made a strong start to the rematch

"On the night, yes the first point, yes 100 per cent my boy shouldn't use his head. He got a point deducted. That was warranted.

"The second one is questionable, because Dillian was leaning on him at the time. He raised his elbow, yes he did, but he didn't hit Dillian Whyte with it. It was almost like 'get off me'."

Carlos Takam was quick to call for a rematch with Chisora, who dramatically knocked out the France-based Cameroonian last summer, although Charles wants his fighter to firstly rebuild with a victory.

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Carlos Takam has called for another fight with Chisora

"I'm sure Takam would call Derek out, that's what fighters do," he said.

"It's almost like he was saying, 'I was beating you until you knocked me out'. We would say the same thing about Dillian Whyte.

"We have to be smart here. It's not about being macho. Takam has got every right to call us out, but I don't believe that should be my guy's next fight, the same way Takam has come back and had a win.

Haye & Chisora
Image: Manager David Haye will help to plan Chisora's next move

"We should be allowed to do such a thing. Who that opponent will be, I don't know, because I'm not his manager. It's something I have to discuss with David Haye and Eddie Hearn obviously."