Deontay Wilder won a split decision over Derek Chisora on Saturday at The O2 Arena in London, taking their 12-round DAZN pay-per-view main event by scores of 115-111, 112-115, and 115-113.
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It was the 50th professional fight for both men, and the bout lived up to its billing as a power-punching heavyweight brawl. Chisora, who weighed in at 266.7 pounds on Friday, pressed the action throughout, working the body and throwing wide hooks. Wilder used his reach and jab to control distance but struggled to find clean shots early.
Wilder scored knockdowns in the fourth and eighth rounds, both with his trademark right hand. The eighth-round sequence was the fight’s defining moment, as Wilder backed Chisora into a corner and unloaded. Chisora survived both times and continued fighting back. Wilder also had a point deducted during a chaotically officiated bout.
The win was only the second decision victory of Wilder’s career, moving his record to 45-4-1 (43 KOs). Chisora drops to 36-14 (23 KOs).
Wilder Calls for Compassion, Eyes Title Run
Post-fight, Wilder said he pulled back in the later rounds after noticing swelling around Chisora’s temple. “Too many lives have been lost in this ring, nobody gives a damn about us,” Wilder told DAZN. “Us fighters have to look out for each other.”
Wilder also said he is targeting another title run, calling the fight “magnificent” and inviting Chisora to go fishing in Alabama. With back-to-back wins now under his belt, a potential matchup with Anthony Joshua could be next on the radar.
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Chisora Teases Retirement, Leaves Door Open
Chisora had said before the fight that this would be his final bout, but he declined to commit to retirement afterward. He thanked fans for supporting his career since he arrived in the UK at age 16 and started boxing, but stopped short of saying it was over for good.
Full Card Results
- Deontay Wilder def. Derek Chisora, split decision (115-111, 112-115, 115-113)
- Viddal Riley def. Mateusz Masternak, unanimous decision (118-110, 118-110, 119-109) — wins European cruiserweight title
- Denzel Bentley def. Endry Saavedra, TKO Round 7 — wins WBO interim middleweight title
- Matty Harris def. Franklin Ignatius, KO Round 2
- Amir Anderson def. Jordan Dujon, TKO Round 8
- Ashton Sylve def. Raul Antonio Galaviz Hernandez, unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 78-74)
- Jermaine Dhliwayo def. Jake Morgan, TKO Round 7
- Dan Toward def. Misael Da Veiga, TKO Round 3
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