ANTHONY JOSHUA has paid tribute to Derek Chisora as an example to young boxers.
The 37-year-old has defiantly refused to hang up his gloves despite his one-sided defeat by Joseph Parker on Saturday.
And Joshua revealed thoughts of his ‘OG’ were motivating him ahead of his blockbuster rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ posted on Instagram alongside a photo of Chisora: “This is my OG!
“He led and leads the way! He’s a motivation force for myself and young boxers coming through the ranks!
“It’s important to honour our people while they are still here!”
Joshua earlier this year signed up his old sparring partner to his 258 Management company.
The Watford fighter used to look up to the heavyweight veteran when he first walked into the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club.
Chisora showed plenty of his trademark resilience after being floored three times by Parker in Manchester.
He looked on the brink of a brutal stoppage before coming back with enough heart to convince his corner and ref Howard Foster to let the action continue.
It resulted in a 12th career loss for Chisora, who Parker said should now consider retirement.
But the man himself has other ideas and claimed he is already planning to return in around six months.
Joshua is back in the gym ahead of his attempt to regain the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO titles he lost to Ukraine’s Usyk in September.
The fight is expected to take place early next year and promoter Eddie Hearn has recently been in the Middle East to sound out possible venues.
