Derek Chisora to fight Deontay Wilder in London in April
Derek Chisora will face former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in London in April in his 50th career fight.
Chisora, 42, said last year that he would retire after his 50th match abroad.
But BBC Sport understands the Briton has chosen to face Wilder in London on April 4 instead.
The pair were due to fight 13 years ago but Wilder withdrew from the bout after an arrest for domestic violence prevented him from traveling to England.
Wilder won his first 40 fights before drawing with Tyson Fury in 2018 and then suffered back-to-back defeats against the ‘Gypsy King’ in 2020 and 2021.
Chisora also faced Fury three times; He lost all three in 2011, 2014 and 2022.
Wilder was once considered the division’s most feared puncher but has struggled to regain his aura since his trilogy with Fury.
The 40-year-old’s stock has plummeted following back-to-back defeats to Joseph Parker in 2023 and Zhilei Zhang in 2024.
After more than a year away, the American returned in June with a modest seventh-round stoppage of little-known Tyrrell Anthony Herndon.
Yet despite his fall from grace, Wilder is still heavily linked with a potential fight against unified champion Oleksandr Usyk should he beat Chisora.
Chisora, meanwhile, is enjoying a late-career resurgence with a three-fight hitting streak, including points wins over Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin.
He had been linked with a third bout against long-time rival Dillian Whyte or a possible shot at WBO champion Fabio Wardley.
Fury backed Chisora to win the fight and thinks it should be for a title shot.
He said: “There has to be a belt next. There are two legendary fighters here.
“A world champion with 10 title defenses from the USA and an absolute warlord from the UK.”
