Deontay Wilder is on his first winning streak since 2019, but he had to go through hell to get there.
On Saturday, Wilder fought Derek Chisora in a pay-per-view main event from the O2 Arena in London.. And while most expected one of the two heavy hitters to get a finish, instead, fans were treated to 12 rounds of back-and-forth action, with multiple knockdowns, point deductions, and general chaos.
The fight was billed as the final of Chisora’s career, and the British heavyweight boxing legend fought like it was, using his 40-pound weight advantage to bully Wilder early and often, marching “The Bronze Bomber” down and working him over with shots inside. One of the biggest punchers in boxing history, Wilder struggled with Chisora’s pressure early, unable to get the space needed to land his devastating right hand.
But as the fight dragged on, Wilder was finally able to start landing his big shots, and in the eighth round, Wilder and Chisora put on a brawl for the ages, as Chisora nearly floored Wilder with a big right hand, immediately before Wilder hurt Chisora and sent him crashing through the ropes. It looked like that might be the end for Chisora, but “War” was as good as his name, and battled through, and Wilder even had a point deducted for pushing Chisora through the ropes a second time.
Things again went haywire in the 11th round, when both men scored knockdowns, Wilder sending Chisora through the ropes yet again, while Chisora caught an off-balance Wilder with an overhand that sent him down. Despite the hammer-and-tongs battle, both men managed to last to the final bell, with Wilder winning a split decision.
In the aftermath, Wilder was highly complimentary of Chisora, saying he could have tried harder to finish Chisora in the eighth, but “looked after Derek” instead.
“I want him to live for his kids,” Wilder said.
Chisora, meanwhile, lamented the incidents with the ropes, saying he would have won but for that, and also teasing that he might be reconsidering if that is his final fight.
“Last fight?” Chisora asked his wife.
Chisora then celebrated with his own personal Five Guys belt.
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