Former heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder won a 12-round split decision over longtime contender Derek Chisora on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London.

Wilder, 45-4-1 (43 KOs), is now on a two-fight winning streak, following consecutive losses to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker. The 40-year-old “Bronze Bomber,” from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is one of the biggest punchers of the modern era.

Seemingly having sent Chisora into retirement, Wilder had been facing his own boxing mortality in the event of a loss Saturday. Instead, the five-year belt holder set himself up for more business at (or, more likely, near) the top of the sport’s glamor division.

So what is Wilder's most likely next step?

5. Dave Allen/Filip Hrgovic

Record: Allen 25-8-4 (20 KOs); Hrgovic 19-1 (14 KOs)

Chances of happening: 1 percent

The winner of a May 16 bout between Allen and Hrgovic would present an engaging matchup for Wilder against a somewhat relevant contender.

Level of excitement: 3/10

4. Martin Bakole

Record: 21-2-1 (16 KOs)

Chances of happening: 4 percent

Level of excitement: 3/10

Bakole has looked abysmal since stopping Jared Anderson. He was knocked out in two rounds by Joseph Parker, only to follow it with a draw against Efe Ajagba in May. Bakole versus Wilder is at least a serviceable fight – and one that might be closer to 50-50 than many imagine.

3. Joseph Parker

Record: 36-4 (24 KOs)

Chances of happening: 15 percent

Level of excitement: 2/10

In 2023, Wilder lost a lot of momentum in his career, losing a 12-round unanimous decision to Parker. The two could rematch, given Parker’s recent loss to Fabio Wardley.

2. Francis Ngannou

Record: 0-2

Chances of happening: 25 percent

Level of excitement: 3/10

Ngannou is a former MMA titleholder who managed to knock down Tyson Fury. He received praise for that performance but has been out of sight and out of mind since being knocked out by Anthony Joshua in March 2024. Ngannou will participate in an MMA fight on May 16, but if he has interest in a return to boxing, this is a viable next step.

1. Anthony Joshua

Record: 29-4 (26 KOs)

Chances of happening: 45 percent

Level of excitement: 5/10

Joshua and Wilder were two of boxing’s best heavyweights from the previous decade. Both were marketed heavily and held major titles. Both have been overshadowed by the achievements of Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, but many would find a fight between the American Wilder and Brit Joshua, in the twilight of their careers, meaningful – or at least entertaining.

Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.