Deontay Wilder edges Derek Chisora in chaotic London heavyweight bout, sending rival into retirement
Former world champion Deontay Wilder narrowly defeated Derek Chisora in a turbulent heavyweight clash at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, prompting Chisora to announce his retirement from boxing.
The 40-year-old Wilder and 42-year-old Chisora exchanged heavy, hopeful punches while rarely using jabs, with both fighters slipping and hitting the canvas multiple times. Wilder scored the fight’s only knockdown in the eighth round, sending Chisora through the ropes, though he was also docked a point for pushing. Chisora shook off the knockdown, but Wilder did not aggressively pursue a finish. Wilder controlled the early rounds, while Chisora staged a late rally, leaving the judges split: two scored in favor of Wilder, 115-111 and 115-113, and one gave Chisora a 115-112 edge.
After the fight, Wilder said he had intentionally gone easy on Chisora. “Tonight, I looked out for him, I want him to live for his kids,” he said. “It’s time for us to take care of each other.” Chisora, who had previously said this fight would be his last, was less definitive, joking about returning home to his family.
The bout marked the 50th professional fight for both fighters. Wilder improved his record to 45-4-1, while Chisora, who turned pro a year before Wilder in 2007, fell to 36-14. Chisora lost his only two title fights against Vitali Klitschko in 2012 and Tyson Fury in 2022.
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