Larry Olubamiwo has mentioned Derek Chisora as a fight he would like, but the distance between past association and present reality is hard to ignore.
Olubamiwo, 47, has not fought professionally since 2015 and has been away from the boxing circuit for years. The former heavyweight, once known for heavy-handed knockouts, later admitted steroid use and served a ban before moving on from the sport and into acting, including BBC drama work and a role in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
The latest discussion began with a simple social media comment. Olubamiwo wrote: “I would love to fight Derek before he retires.” World Boxing News then asked him for further detail on what he meant.
Olubamiwo Names Three Fights, But Says It Is Not A Comeback
Olubamiwo told World Boxing News exclusively that he would like three fights in particular and pointed back to a bout that was once scheduled but never happened.
“I would love three fights, which are Dave Allen, Derek Chisora, and Dillian Whyte. I remember being scheduled to fight Derek in 2011 at Wembley Arena, but I had to pull out as I was ill then. I fought Sam Sexton two months later. I also remember him talking nonsense about me afterwards. I would love the opportunity to put that right.”
Asked about training for a full comeback, Olubamiwo added, “I am not training for a comeback, but I have had surgery to fix an injury, which will allow me to train again. And these fights are ones I would like before I leave it alone.”
That line matters. This is not being presented as a realistic return run, and there is no indication of any serious talks with promoters, broadcasters, or opponents.
Where Chisora, Allen, And Whyte Stand Right Now
The current positions of the three heavyweights Olubamiwo mentioned underline the difference between a personal wish list and anything that fits the sport’s present-day structure.
Dave Allen is scheduled to fight on February 21 on the Warrington vs. Wood undercard. The date marks another step in Allen’s own comeback following a loss to Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Chisora remains active at the top end of the division and faces Deontay Wilder on April 4 in London. The veteran has also been linked to a possible WBA “Regular” heavyweight title shot following an admission from champion Murat Gassiev, keeping Chisora in the mix as a name with real leverage and visibility.
As for Dillian Whyte, there has been little noise since he was knocked out by Moses Itauma in one round in 2025. No firm plans have emerged publicly, and there has been little noticeable training activity on social media.
Despite the power that once earned him the ‘War Machine’ nickname, a return at 47 — after a decade away from professional competition — is highly unlikely to make any impact on today’s heavyweight scene.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
