The last chance for Deontay Wilder to prove he is still “worthy” of fighting for a world title. The last time (in theory) we will see Derek Chisora step into the ring. Tomorrow night’s bout at the O2 Arena in Greenwich (London) is a fight for nostalgics, as both men, after years of excitement and spectacle, are now firing the final bullets in their chamber. The event, promoted jointly by MF Pro, Misfits Boxing and Queensberry Promotions, will be broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view.
Wilder and the accusations of being a finished fighter
Deontay Wilder managed the unusual feat of building an entire high-level career around a single devastating punch: his famous right hand. Despite his technical flaws, imperfect footwork and often questionable coordination, the “Bronze Bomber” annihilated one opponent after another before running into his nemesis, the “Gypsy King” Tyson Fury.
Many believe it was precisely those three fights against the British heavyweight that set Wilder on the path to decline. What is certain is that in his recent outings, the American has looked like a distant relative of the knockout artist he once was. After a one-sided points loss to Joseph Parker and a brutal knockout defeat to Zhilei Zhang, Wilder failed to impress even against the very modest Tyrrell Herndon.
Derek Chisora and the retirement promises that are hard to keep
When Chisora faced Otto Wallin in February 2025, the event was labeled “The Last Dance,” leading some to believe the British fighter was about to hang up his gloves. He later clarified that it would only be his final fight in the UK, to be followed by his 50th professional bout somewhere else in the world.
Now even that statement has proven inaccurate, as Chisora vs Wilder will take place in the UK, and it’s no surprise that many no longer trust the Zimbabwe-born fighter when it comes to his retirement plans. After all, it’s never easy for a boxer to walk away while things are going well in the ring: Chisora has won his last three fights, two of them as the underdog… If he beats Wilder as well, will he really be able to resist the temptation to continue?
What will happen? Boxe Punch prediction
If Deontay Wilder were still in his prime, a fighter like Chisora would probably be the perfect victim for one of his highlight-reel knockouts. Despite having a solid chin, the British heavyweight’s aggressive, reckless style leaves openings too inviting not to be exploited by a devastating puncher.
On the other hand, there are strong reasons to believe that the Bronze Bomber’s dynamite right hand now exists only in our memories. The last time Wilder stepped into the ring, in June 2025, he faced a mediocre opponent with a fragile chin, yet still failed to inflict significant damage, securing a TKO more due to Herndon’s exhaustion than the effectiveness of his punches.
If Wilder cannot discourage Chisora from coming forward by making him feel the danger of getting knocked out, tomorrow’s fight could turn into a nightmare. Despite being worn down by countless wars himself, Chisora is still capable of applying relentless pressure and landing dangerous wide hooks.
Today, the Bronze Bomber looks like an insecure and lost fighter, unable to find a valid alternative to what used to be his Plan A when his physical condition fully supported him. It is no coincidence that the American continues to justify his defeats with implausible excuses: a way to convince himself, even before others, that he is still at the top.
I expect Chisora, after absorbing the initial punches, to force Wilder onto the back foot by charging forward relentlessly and making him feel his superior physicality in every clinch exchange.
Wilder might try to limit the damage by moving along the ropes and avoiding exchanges, as he did two years ago against Parker, but that would mean accepting defeat and seeing his dream of facing Usyk for the world titles vanish for good. More likely, after falling behind on the scorecards, the American will go all-in, even at the risk of disaster.
I therefore believe Chisora will give his fans the joy of a knockout victory, proving to be the less finished fighter between the two. My prediction is a stoppage win for Derek Chisora in the second half of the fight.