“I Don’t Have to Throw Tables”: Derek Chisora Takes Mature Approach to Deontay Wilder Showdown
Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora met face-to-face at the launch press conference in London on February 4, 2026, ahead of their April 4 showdown at the O2 Arena. Both fighters will mark their 50th professional bouts, with Chisora confirming this as his final fight and Wilder seeking a knockout to prove he remains a force in the heavyweight division.
Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora Trade Words Ahead of April 4 Showdown at London’s O2 Arena
Wilder made clear the significance of this bout for his career trajectory. “I need it. I need Derek more than he needs me,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been broken down and rebuilt, with high spirits. I can’t wait.”
The 40-year-old American (44-4-1, 43 KOs) has experienced turbulent years since consecutive knockout defeats to Tyson Fury in 2020 and 2021. He returned to form in June 2025 with a seventh-round stoppage of Tyrrell Herndon, and now looks to string together back-to-back wins for the first time since his title reign.
“This is definitely a must-win for me. Not only a win, but I need a devastating win. I need a knockout,” Wilder stated. “I don’t want anyone to get our friendship misconstrued, we don’t fake it. That said, when fight night arrives, everything will switch off. You will see two enemies in the ring that are going to try to whoop each other.”
The former champion revealed a telling instruction he gave Chisora privately: “I told Derek, ‘I want you to try to kill me,’ because I need that.”
Wilder addressed the emotional toll of his recent setbacks, describing a period of intense personal work outside the ring. “I’ve been through a lot outside of the ring. I’ve had to do a lot of work mentally. We’re fighters but we’re not robots,” he said. “We have lives outside of boxing and emotions. In life, no one person has it all figured out. But here I am now, rebuilding myself. I still have more left. The fire is still in me and it will show.”
He pushed back against critics who have written him off. “I don’t need to prove it to them, I need to prove it to myself. I’ve given so much of my life to this sport. I’m not going to let it just end on a bad note.”
Chisora on Fighting His Friend
Chisora, 42, enters the bout riding a three-fight winning streak that includes victories over Gerald Washington, Joe Joyce, and Otto Wallin​. His unanimous decision over Wallin in February 2025 saw him drop his opponent twice en route to one of the best performances of his 18-year career.
The Brit struck a measured tone when discussing his relationship with Wilder. “I don’t need to flip tables, splash water on anyone, or issue threats. We are both aware of what we have to accomplish,” Chisora said​. “I don’t wish to promote this fight through violence, as there is already too much of it in the world.”
He explained their unique dynamic: “We want to sell this fight in a different way. There’s so much love between me and him. I always wanted to fight him. One of my favourite things about this whole thing is I introduced him to fish and chips. He’s my boy.”
The pair had shared a meal at Borough Market in London before the media gathering.
Retirement and the 50-Fight Milestone
Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) has repeatedly stated this will be his final professional bout. “This is my 50th fight, and I told everyone that this is the end,” he said. “I’m going to leave with a fight that people will remember.”
Wilder acknowledged the weight of the occasion while emphasising his drive to continue. “You’ve got to have a sick mind to consider battling your friend Derek Chisora,” he said, reflecting on the strange position both men find themselves in.
Queensberry Promotions founder Frank Warren captured the stakes: “I’m a fight fan. Some fights have fight written all over it, and this is one of those. The loser will go home and the winner will go on. Both of these guys are walk-forward fighters. As soon as that bell goes you’re going to get a war.”
The event will stream live on DAZN and marks the first Misfits Pro promotion. Ringwalk is expected around 10:00 PM BST.
