Deontay Wilder W12 Derek Chisora... London's O2 Arena saw a punishing and highly entertaining bout in which former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder defeated hometown favorite Derek Chisora. Wilder scored at least one knockdowns to win an absolute slugfest between two well-past-their-prime legends. Wilder claimed a twelve-round split decision verdict by scores of 112-115, 115-111 and 115-113. DAZN News scored the fight 114-111 for Wilder. Chisora said before hand that retirement was next for him, win, lose, or draw, but no one is sure if that promise will be kept. Wilder made no such vow, and in light of this win, a long sought-after fight vs. former champ Anthony Joshua seems like a no brainer. Joshua, who was ringside to cheer on Chisora, would be a definite favorite vs. Wilder.

 

A sensational eighth round saw Chisora on the verge of being stopped, with Wilder finally knocking him down and halfway through the ropes. Chisora beat the count, with the help of his corner pushing him up (that could have been a disqualification) from the ring floor. Chisora showed incredible resolve to flip the momentum away from back-pedalling to forcing Wilder on to the ropes.Wilder was also penalized a point that round, keeping Chisora's hopes of winning a decision alive. An even ninth round was backed up by Wilder trying and failing to line up his rival in a round ten which ended with a Chisora looping right landing. Chisora was again knocked down and almost through the ropes midway through round eleven before Wilder went down, but neither was officially counted as knockdown even though they appeared to be legitimate.