April 05, (THEWILL) — Veteran American heavyweight, Deontay Wilder, defeated Derek Chisora by split decision in a wild 12-round contest at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night, in what is expected to be the British fighter’s final professional bout.
Two judges scored the fight 115-111 and 115-113 in Wilder’s favour, while the third gave it 115-112 to Chisora. The contest marked the 50th professional outing for both men. The 40-year-old Wilder sent Chisora through the ropes with a right hand in the eighth round, but the 42-year-old somehow survived and fought to the final bell.
Chisora had his moments in the chaotic affair. A right hand in the fifth rocked Wilder and sent the partisan crowd into a frenzy, with two-time world champion Anthony Joshua urging his friend on from ringside. Wilder was docked a point for pushing, and both men hit the canvas on multiple occasions without any of the incidents being ruled knockdowns.
After the bout, Wilder declared his intention to challenge for a world title. “Most definitely, hands down”, he said. “I’m back, and I’ll get better and better each time.” Chisora declined to confirm his retirement, saying he would first return home and consult his wife.
The result extends a career for Wilder that many believe is approaching its conclusion. The former WBC champion has never quite recaptured his best form since his trilogy against Tyson Fury, in which he was floored five times and stopped twice. For Chisora, who has faced the likes of Vitali Klitschko, David Haye, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk across a 19-year professional career, Saturday night in London appeared to be the final chapter.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
