Super-heavyweight eyes England spot (From Times Series)

Super-heavyweight eyes England spot

12:48pm Tuesday 6th December 2005

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Finchley super-heavyweight Derek The Dark Destroyer' Chisora will learn this week if he has been chosen to represent England at next year's Commonwealth Games in Australia, after clinching his fourth major title in six months.

Twenty-one-year-old Chisora, who fights for Finchley Amateur Boxing Club, defeated previously unbeaten Tom Dallis on Friday night, at Wembley Conference Centre, to take the Super Heavyweight National Amateur Boxing Association title.

Chisora, down four points in the computer scoring going into the fourth and final round, showed the guts and determination he will need if he goes to Melbourne next year by storming back to win 16-14.

With the title now in the bag, he stands an excellent chance of being selected to represent England. A decision is expected to be made on Wednesday.

It would be a fitting end to a fantastic year, in which Chisora has demonstrated he has all the attributes to go on and become a professional fighter.

Trainer John Oliver, of Finchley ABC, said: "He was four points down after the first three rounds and I said to him in the corner: This is it. It's now or never. You've got to go for it.' And in the last round that's what he did, winning by two points in the end. We're over the moon."

Mr Oliver said Chisora had been led to believe' that, with the national title, he would have a good chance of being picked for Melbourne, but added: "We are not getting too het up. Derek said: Whatever happens, happens.'"

The Dark Destroyer will be showing off his trophy tonight at the TA Centre, St Albans Road, Barnet. There will also be a number of amateur contests involving Finchley boxers. The event starts at 8pm, and tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children on the door.

u Last Friday evening, at Nottingham Arena, Barnet's 23-year-old light-middleweight Darren Barker beat John Paul Temple of Islington. The victory, Barker's seventh, takes his record to seven wins out of seven.

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