We have witnessed one of the great toe-to-toe heavyweight bouts this evening. It has been two guns slinging, from round one. The split-decision in favour of ‘The Bronze Bomber’, capped a night of the ages, with Wilder good merit for the win.
Something of a street brawl as the two heavyweight corner-pieces of this era have treated us to a real spectacle.
Two judges had it in Wilder’s favour – 115-111 and 115-113 – with one judge scoring it 115-112 to Derek Chisora.
“Delboy” shielded a barrage of Wilder blows early in the contest, with the Briton’s coach storming into the ring to separate the pair in the very first round.
Chisora hit the matt on a couple occasions in the fifth, ruled as pushes rather than knockdowns.
In the sixth round the tide swung in Wilder’s favour. Piercing Chisora’s eye-socket and outboxing his opponent, he found some rhythm behind his jab.
Wilder’s punches taking a toll on Chisora in the eighth round, knocking Derek between the ropes. The Brit beat the count, but Wilder had a point taken away.
The 42-year-old Londoner scored landed a late knockdown that got the London O2 crowd roaring but not enough to win the judges favour.
A scrappy and clumsy fight that flaunted real promise throughout – Wilder hit the deck in the fourth but it correctly wasn’t scored after he slipped after more roughhousing.
Wilder said to DAZN post-fight: “I come to fight. A lot of people throw dirt on me, you can’t throw dirt on somebody who’s chosen. You witnessed what power, glory and destiny is all about. I want to thank everybody that came out tonight. What a magnificent fight it was, I want to thank Derek.”
“Tonight was very fun, I had a good time in the ring. Derek got a lot of good shots off but it was nothing to a king. It was a lot of fun, I had to heal but I’m back and going to get better every time. What a fun night.”
“I had an adorable opponent. I knew Derek was going to bring everything he had. In the ring I saw his temple start to swell, I said you’ve got to live for your kids. Too many lives have been lost in this ring, nobody gives a damn about us. Us fighters have to look out for each other.”
“Tonight, I looked out for him, I want him to live for his kids. It’s time for us to take care of each other. I have seven of my own, those are my best friends. Kids, I’m coming home.”
Both Wilder and Chisora shared their 50th event respectively as we went the full length. They have owed us nothing before tonight after their careers but have put on a war at the O2 in London.
If this is the last of Derek Chisora, he has bowed out in style with a Titanic effort, ending his career with 36 wins and losing 14.
An unbelievable contest leaving fans bemused at decisions throughout.
Ring-side, Anthony Joshua gave his thoughts mid-clash and reiterated his support for his fellow country-man.
Two veterans going at it. This ain’t about technique, it’s just about who wants it most.
Anthony Joshua, DAZN
There’s only one person that’s got enough [left] and that’s Derek Chisora! Everyone at home, get behind Derek!