Photo courtesy of co-promoters MFPro.
It was messy, but it was an intriguing and riveting watch for twelve completed rounds.
The intrigue was whether either aging fighter would unravel completely, or the heavier punching and eventual winner Deontay Wilder would finally detonate the punch that would bring an abrupt end. Forever brave Dereck ‘War’ Chisora kept coming forward until his body no longer allowed him to do so, but couldn’t get that win in his fiftieth professional fight. The home British crowd kept roaring him on, but it wasn’t to be.
The packed O2 Arena in London, England witnessed a war of attrition and, at times, a mix of compassion, despair and outrage, as the rounds clicked over and the wisdom of two men with a combined age of 82 bludgeoned each other across the square ring.
After twelve heavily laboured but riveting rounds American Deontay Wilder was victorious by split decision (115-111, 115-113, 112-115).
Post-fight Wilder credited Chisora’s bravery and vowed to continue for another crack at the other top heavyweights and possible regain of a version of the heavyweight championship of the world. The former WBC champion lives onto fight again and the win contrasted with Chisora’s retirement announcement yesterday. We shall see whether this becomes true but he can hold his head up high forever.
Congratulations to both fighters and the promoters for a stellar event.
The Undisputed 