Guts, determination, and bravery – Derek Chisora and Nathan Heaney

It takes guts to climb into the ring and swap hands with another man.

Boxers get hurt. Some die. All for our entertainment.

Can it be barbaric?

Yes.

Can it be dramatic?

Yes.

Why, some ask. Because of what it takes to win – to rally back from the brink of defeat.

And on the flip side – there’s the agony of defeat.

This past weekend featured exciting and painful examples of this.

Once upon a time, Derek Chisora was a villain. Nobody doubted his intestinal fortitude. What caused his problems were occasional pre-fight activities, like throwing a table and slapping another fighter. He was a villain right out of the WWE.

Chisora,41, has been a professional boxer for almost 18 years. He won his first 14 fights in succession before losing to one Tyson Fury. The losses came more often as he moved up in class. He regrouped after being stopped by David Haye in 2013 to win five fights before facing the clever Fury again.

In between two bruising fights with Dillian Whyte, Chisora defeated tough Carlos Takim. He pushed future heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to the limit – losing a close decision. The boos from years ago had dissipated. There were additional losses, but concern from many who worried about his health.

Chisora has been battered in bouts, but there’s never a suggestion of quitting. He won’t stop. The man nicknamed War went there with Joe Joyce last year.

Two big men – throwing hands and landing often.

A few years ago, Joyce was an indestructible man. His chin was his best defense – until he fought big Zhilei Zhang. Zhang dented the iron chin.

Joyce hasn’t been the same since. When he fought Chisora, Joyce was expected to win. He didn’t – Chisora knocked him down and won the brawl. The battering on both sides was substantial.

Several begged Chisora to retire. It seemed fitting to go out, but Chisora wants 50 fights on his record. Only he knows why.

Fight 49 came against capable Otto Wallin. Chisora was the underdog, but, bleeding from cuts under both eyes, he relentlessly worked, slower than a few years ago but consistent – even when he was exhausted. Two long right hands floored Wallin.

Chisora was victorious.

“I thought he (Wallin)was going to gas out, but he didn’t and I was wrong,” he said. “It was a firefight.”

That it was. Chisora is a warrior – and a credit to a brutal sport.

Nathan Heaney is also a warrior. Though limited, he was undefeated in 16 fights and hoping for a world title shot until Brad Pauls knocked him off his perch, though he remained undefeated.

But not for long.

Pauls battered him in a rematch. Heaney talked about retirement – but not for long.

He returned a few days ago against Frenchman Sofiane Khati – a fighter with five losses on his record.

Heaney did well early but hit the canvas in round seven. The loss was devastating, but Heaney, for reasons only he knows, will fight again.

Boxing is an unforgiving sport, but a fighter’s spirit is unmatched even when it can end up hurting them in several ways.

Guts.