This Boxing King Media fight preview covers the highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder at the O2 Arena.
It’s half centuries for both Derek Chisora (36-13, 24ko’s) and Deontay Wilder (44-4-1, 43ko’s) this Saturday as the two lock horns at the O2 Arena in MFPro’s second event.
A milestone that symbolises the longevity of both fighters, Chisora and Wilder have had fight fans gripped since 2007.
With both fighters in their 40s, their recent trajectories could not be more different.
Let’s start with the hometown favourite.
The O2 Arena has been a central hub for the chaotic career of Derek ‘War’ Chisora.
In an era where retaining unbeaten status is seen as prestigious, Chisora is certainly a throwback.
The man from Finchley is prepared to take on all comers, with many believing ‘Del Boy’ gave the current unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 14ko’s) his toughest challenge at heavyweight.
For a number of years, Chisora was considered as a heavyweight ‘gatekeeper’, and many have called for his retirement over the last decade.
However, the only way you can describe this final chapter of an 18 year career is an ‘Indian summer’.
Three consecutive unanimous decision victories including Otto Wallin (28-3, 16ko’s) and Joe Joyce (16-4, 12ko’s) have left Del Boy not a million miles away from a world title opportunity.
His come forward pressure style is not pretty but it has been all too much for his last three opponents, and it might just pay dividends this Saturday.
The man that will be looking to negate this style is ‘The Bronze Bomber’, who has certainly not experienced an ‘Indian summer’ in the twilight of his career.
Wilder in his prime was widely considered as the most ferocious puncher in the sports history, and a 97% knockout ratio certainly backs this up.
From Alabama, Wilder reigned as WBC world heavyweight champion for over five years.
Wilder’s trilogy with Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24ko’s) will go down in history as one of the great heavyweight rivalries.
The 40 year old left it all in the ring during those three fights, and many believe he has never been the same since.
Back to back defeats to Joseph Parker (36-4, 24ko’s) and Zhilei Zhang (27-3-1, 22ko’s) followed.
Terms like ‘gun shy’ and ‘a shell of his former self’ have been thrown around, now it is up to the Bronze Bomber to prove he still possesses that devastating one punch knockout power.
Wilder has a ten inch reach advantage over Chisora, and the general consensus is that he will need every inch of that to keep Chisora off of him.
If this fight was made during the fighters so called ‘primes’, many would’ve favoured with the former world champion.
For Saturday, the bookmakers have the hometown star Derek Chisora as a fairly wide favourite to be victorious.
The line share of industry experts follow this sentiment.
Very few people’s opinions are as valuable as the Gypsy King’s on this sentiment, having shared the ring three times with both fighters.
Fury took to Instagram stating: “I think it’s a very good fight”.
“I’m going to go with my boy Del Boy, War Chisora for a stoppage”.
WBO heavyweight world champion Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19ko’s) shared his opinion with The Stomping Ground:
“I think Chisora has just got more in the tank.”
“We haven’t seen that kind of devastating power from Wilder for the last I don’t know how many fights”.
“So yeah, I would say Chisora, for me”.
It is likely the end of the road for one or potentially both men this Saturday.
Both men have had captivating careers at the very top of the sport, and entertainment is guaranteed this Saturday live on DAZN PPV.
Want to get the latest boxing news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
