Deontay Wilder-Derek Chisora being made initially concerned me, because they’ve both declined considerably.

But they’ve been passed fit to fight, and sometimes fights can be at their best when those involved are in decline, so it’s become intriguing. I admire both as fighters – and, for Wilder in particular, victory could be huge.

I expected Chisora to lose to both Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin, and he produced good performances to win both. He remains capable of winning fights against the odds – and we know how solid, durable and aggressive he still is. Wilder’s almost the opposite – in his recent performances we’ve seen a lack of ferocity, despite how good he still looks physically, and how potent his right hand remains. 

Physically, Wilder-Chisora is a case of raw power versus aggression. The best version of Wilder stops Chisora with relative ease. But we haven’t seen anything like the best version of him for a long time – psychologically it’s difficult to know what he’s got left, even with the grit and heart he showed in his two defeats by Tyson Fury.

Chisora can’t box like Fury. He’d also struggle to apply the tactics the impressive Joseph Parker used to beat Wilder, or to punch with the power of Zhilei Zhang. But what we learned from those three opponents was that Wilder struggles to throw with power when he’s forced backwards, and Chisora’s aggression could clear his path to victory because it’s capable of forcing Wilder back.

Wilder needs to rediscover how to pull the trigger in a way we haven’t seen him do since he defeated Robert Helenius the second time around, well before he lost to Parker. Helenius attempted to force him back – he’s big, strong, and can punch – but Wilder, edging backwards on the ropes, managed to throw a right hand to the chin that put Helenius away. If he can pull the trigger under fire, he can win – but it’s whether he can that’s the biggest question.

Chisora will know he has to take risks and risk getting knocked out. Wilder will know he’s in for a physically testing evening. They may both be in decline but there’s no shortage of desire between them – they still want to compete and they still want to fight the best.

I expect Chisora to attempt to bully his way in and force an ugly fight from almost the opening bell. He’s never been the smoothest of boxers, but on Saturday he doesn’t need to be. He needs to use his head movement to get inside, make it physical, back Wilder up, plant his feet, and throw left hooks to the body and overhand rights. Once he gets there he needs to make it count. 

Wilder therefore needs to establish his jab right away. His boxing abilities get questioned but his jab gets overlooked – at his best he snapped that jab to the chest, shoulder and face and used his feet just enough that he was difficult to get inside. Against Parker he couldn’t get his jab going so he also couldn’t use his right hand. If he can keep Chisora at mid-range he has a real shot.

Their fight has to be considered a 50-50, but on account of Chisora’s grit, toughness and hunger I expect him to have the edge. Fury and Wilder damaged each other in that trilogy and haven’t been the same since. I see Chisora earning a stoppage in the middle rounds.

If Chisora wins, I don’t expect him to retire – I’d be very happy to see him bow out on what would be his biggest victory, but victory would earn him another big fight. If Wilder wins, I can see him finally fighting Anthony Joshua, or maybe even Oleksandr Usyk. Both match-ups would appeal.

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On the undercard Denzel Bentley and Endry Saavedra contest the WBO interim title. Janibek Alimkhanuly is still the WBO champion, despite being suspended for a year. He deserves to be stripped and Bentley and Saavedra deserve to be fighting for the full title. Not least because I also expect that when Janibek returns it’ll be at 168lbs.

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On Sunday, Caroline Dubois fights Terri Harper and Ellie Scotney fights Mayelli Flores Rosquero. Dubois is dangerous, can punch, says the right things, and is improving. Harper’s a step up for her and can show how real Dubois’ power is.

Scotney’s already one of the best fighters in the world, with real discipline and focus. I make her a big favourite to win against Rosquero.