Deontay Wilder don finally get am for London! The American heavyweight champion wey dem dey call Bronze Bomber don win Derek Chisora by split decision after 12 rounds of proper war for O2 Arena. Na 50th professional fight for both men, and dem show say age no be barrier for ring.
The judges scorecard show say two judges give am to Wilder with 115-111 and 115-113, while the third judge score am 115-112 for Chisora. Na close one, but Wilder carry the day.
From the beginning, Wilder come show say him power still dey. Him weigh in at 226.4 pounds according to DAZN, almost the same weight wey him fight Tyrell Herndon for June 2025. The man look strong for early rounds, but Chisora no gree give up easy.
For eighth round, Wilder land flurry of headshots wey knock Chisora down for ropes. The British fighter beat the count at eight, but him eyes don dey glaze. Wilder dey stalk forward like predator, but Chisora survive.
Then for eleventh round, drama full ground! Chisora fall outside ring, but referee no count am as knockdown. Seconds later, Chisora land clubbing shots wey knock Wilder down too! The American grin, but na serious dogfight wey don tire both men.
Chisora, wey be 42 years old, get him moments. For fifth round, him trademark overhand right stun Wilder proper. Anthony Joshua wey dey ringside dey urge him friend on. Suddenly, Wilder look vulnerable as Chisora press forward.
But Wilder power still dey show. Him right hand wey responsible for 43 knockouts before still carry threat. For eleventh round, him knock Chisora down again, but the knockout elude am.
After fight, Wilder talk to DAZN with message to him doubters. “Many people doubt me, dem count me out, dem throw dirt for my name,” him say. “You no fit throw dirt for person wey don shovel am before. Una witness today wetin destiny be.”
Wilder extend invitation to Chisora: “Derek. Bro, we have to go fishing. Come to Alabama baby.” Then him add say him want world-title fight. “Most definitely, hands down. Tonight na fun, I dey have plenty fun. Derek get good shots but I be king and I show am tonight.”
For Chisora side, na expected last fight but him hesitate to confirm retirement when him family join am for ring. The man wey travel to fight night on London Underground get huge roar from crowd. O2 Arena no full, but na loud and partisan crowd.
Chisora corner dey urge am: “Go back to your boxing. Get that jab working.” But the Zimbabwe-born heavyweight jab no really show. Instead, him rely on overhand rights and sheer determination.
The fight get plenty drama. Wilder push Chisora over for fifth round. Both men tumble to canvas more than once. Wilder even dock point for pushing. For tenth round, dem go 30 seconds without any punch – sign say both veterans don tire.
How Chisora survive reach final bell na mystery. The man wey dem drop for eighth round and send through ropes still dey fight back. For twelfth round, both men hug for ropes as bell ring. O2 Arena stand on feet.
Wilder post-fight talk include message to him children: “I’m coming home!” Him also talk about looking out for Chisora. “I see him temple start swell, I say ‘you get to live for your pikin’. Too many lives don lost for this ring. Us fighters get to look out for each other.”
For boxing circles, many believe say Chisora suppose don retire years ago. The man wey debut for 2007 don face giants like Vitali Klitschko, David Haye, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Him no win world title, but him earn respect even for defeat.
Chisora career full controversy – from conviction for assaulting partner for 2010 to ban for biting opponent. Weigh-in flashpoints and famous brawl with David Haye follow am throughout. But inside ring, na warrior and showman.
For Wilder, this win na best for recent years. The man wey almost single-handedly keep American heavyweight boxing visible for global stage don show signs of decline since trilogy with Tyson Fury. Against Chisora, fleeting reminders of old Wilder dey, but explosiveness no like before.
Earlier this year, Oleksandr Usyk float Wilder as potential opponent. This victory at least keep that possibility alive. For modern boxing landscape, crossover opportunities with likes of Francis Ngannou fit still dey.
The fight no pretty, no elite technical, but entertainment wise na top level. Two veterans wey don fight 50 times each still dey give fans value. For eighth round alone, whoever manage top am this year go do well.
Boxing icons around O2 stand applaud Chisora after fight. Johnny Nelson, Anthony Joshua, Tony Bellew, Anthony Yarde – all dey applaud the Brit despite result. If na last time we see Chisora, na fitting way for Del Boy to go out.
Wilder right hand swell badly after fight. Him team dey ask for ice for dressing room, but celebrations dey full ground. The American say him want another world title run – na long shot, but lucrative opportunities dey.
As for Chisora, him talk small after fight. “If I no come out the ropes I for win that fight,” him say. “The boss lady dey here, she tell me last fight. My friend Glen make me present from Five Guys – belt from burger place. I go go home see wetin dey happen.”
When dem ask am about fishing invitation from Wilder, Chisora respond: “No, no I go do school run, thank you very much. I know why I lose the fight.”
The fight score 115-112 Chisora, 115-113 Wilder by judges. Na absolutely bonkers 12 rounds of heavyweight slugging. No plenty boxing inside, but entertainment and heart score high as contest.
Wilder career extend tonight with kind of guts and grit – and chin – wey don dey miss for recent years. The 40-year-old prove say him still get something for tank. Chisora fans want make him leave game for him own good now.
As Alphaville song “Forever Young” play for final bell, two fighters for 50th fights slug am out until end. Both vulnerable, both chaotic. Perhaps last three minutes of both men careers – but neither get knockout to raise roof.
For now, Wilder dey enjoy 45th win of him career. What come next na question for another time. But tonight, London witness proper heavyweight war wey go remain for memory.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
