LONDON – Derek Chisora has promised Deontay Wilder that their contest will be a short one.
They will meet on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London in what could be the 50th and final bout for both men. Chisora has claimed that this will be his swansong, regardless of the result; Wilder has plans to win his second world title. A defeat, regardless, would surely spell the end for the former long-time WBC heavyweight champion.
Alabama’s Wilder is fighting for the first time in the UK, and is enduring a poor run of form in winning just two of his past six bouts – including three devastating knockout losses, two to Tyson Fury, and one to Zhilei Zhang.
“I had to heal mentally and emotionally and I feel I’ve done that,” said Wilder, who claimed he has gone through a spiritual development since his past defeat. “Saturday night I prove that. I have to feel right. Physically I was there in other fights but not mentally.
“I just wanted to see what I could do in certain wars. At this point in my life I am selfish. I’m going to enjoy it. I’m one of those people that says when I’m done, I’m done. So enjoy me while I’m here.”
It once would have been absurd to imagine that Wilder would be travelling to the UK to face Chisora, and it would not be the American who is the star of the show, but here we are. Chisora has flourished in the later stages of his career, seemingly because he finally learned to train as a professional, and has recorded recent wins over Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin coming into the contest. Wilder would represent the biggest win of Chisora’s career.
“Boxing is so easy, it’s put your hands up and hit the other guy,” said Chisora. “Everyone complicates it. Boxing is so easy. I’ve done it for 49 fights, some I’ve lost, but I keep bouncing back. Deontay Wilder, great power, but I can guarantee you that I am starting so fast that this fight is not lasting 12 rounds. War and pain, that’s what I’m bringing. I hope when the fight is finished we can smoke a spliff together.”
The bout will not only be Chisora’s last – if we are to believe him – but also his farewell to the O2 Arena, where he has built a following with some memorable nights.
“The hardest thing at the O2 will be the ring walk, but after that it will be buzzing,” Chisora said. “It might not even see round two. I might just say ‘Fuck it, let’s go’. I hope he’s ready. Fuck it, I am going to do that. That’s the game plan. Fuck it, we’re going for it.”
“Pressure doesn't break me, pressure builds me,” Wilder responded. “Derek is a warrior. What happens when a warrior meets a freak of nature? I have power that ends blood lines. I’m going to take his heart.”
Chisora, of course, had the final words.
“Fuck it, let’s go,” he said, again. “All I’m saying is that we’re going to have a good time.”
