The former WBC champion won a close battle against his British opponent in London.
Published April 5, 2026
Former world champion Deontay Wilder forced Derek Chisora into retirement with a captivating and chaotic heavyweight bout in London, England.
The boxers, 40 and 42 years old respectively, delivered hopeful knockout punches and rarely landed jabs. Both fighters slipped frequently and fell to the canvas during Saturday’s match at the O2 Arena.
Wilder got his only knockdown in the eighth round, sending Chisora flying over the ropes, but the American was deducted for a push in the same round. Chisora was upset, but Wilder did not press his advantage.
Wilder dominated the early rounds and Chisora fought back in the closing rounds. The judges were split, with scores of 115-111 and 115-113 going to Wilder, with the third judge picking Chisora 115-112.
Wilder said the fight was fun and suggested he did not want to knock out Chisora.
“Tonight I took care of him. I want him to live for his children,” he told broadcaster DAZN. “It’s time to look out for each other.”
Chisora said during the match that it would be his last, but the Londoner refused to admit that afterwards.
“I’m going to go home with my boss lady and see how it goes,” he told DAZN. “I’m going to go home and drop off my kids for a school run.”
It was the 50th professional fight for both men.
Wilder improved his record to 45 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. The 2015-2020 WBC titleholder comes to London having lost four of his past six fights.
Chisora’s record since turning pro a year earlier than Wilder in 2007 has fallen to 36-14. He only missed out on the title twice, against Vitali Klitschko in 2012 and Tyson Fury in 2022.
