LONDON — Deontay Wilder put himself back in the news for bigger fights by defeating Dereck Chisora via split decision in a disappointing but entertaining heavyweight bout on Saturday.
Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KOs) scored two knockdowns but was deducted one point in Chisora’s 50th and final pro fight.
Two judges scored it 115–111 and 115–113 for Wilder, while one scored it 115–112 for Chisora.
Chisora (36-14, 23 KOs) went through the ropes twice as both men spent most of the fight leaning towards each other. Chisora was out early while Wilder tried to maintain distance with his superior reach.
The American constantly threatened with his powerful right hand, but Chisora kept coming and landed the better shots early on.
Chisora suffocated his opponent, closed the distance and attacked Wilder’s head and body with success in the first half of the fight, but he could not hurt Wilder.
The Briton appeared tired in the latter rounds, and Wilder landed more as the fight progressed. Chisora scored a knockdown in round 11, but it was too little, too late as Wilder controlled the last round to secure the victory.
Chisora, 42, fought for the world title twice in 2012 and 2022 and has become an iconic figure in British boxing.
Chisora, fighting at the O2 for the 11th time in his career, took the London Underground to the venue by taking the Metro rather than a private car. Instead of going in through the VIP entrance, he walked through the main door, passed a few fans and was accompanied by his family, including his young son Zion in a stroller.
In the co-main event, Vidal Riley defeated Mateusz Masternak to win the EBU European Cruiserweight title and put himself in line for the next world title shot.
Riley won by unanimous decision with scores of 118–110, 118–110 and 119–109. The fight was also an IBF eliminator for the vacant world title.
Riley (14-0, 7 KOs) boxed well and caused considerable damage to Masternak (50-7, 33 KOs), working behind his jab and following with his right hand, landing several serious blows and wearing his Polish opponent down throughout the fight.
