2025-12-16 12:18:36
Deontay Wilder has named Derek Chisora as a potential “warm up fight” as he plots a heavyweight title showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
The former WBC champion, 40, is in talks over a 2026 clash with The Cat, 38, and has suggested Del Boy, 41, could come first – potentially as the British veteran’s 50th and final bout.
Speaking to ESNews, Wilder said: “Derek Chisora, you want it, you can get it. That’s for sure. That might be my warm-up fight.
“I’ll see what people think about that. We were supposed to fight years ago, and I got in some legal trouble and it meant I couldn’t travel. It was supposed to happen and it didn’t happen, and this opportunity means it can happen.”
The Bronze Bomber, has been sparingly active in recent years, registering just one win since 2023 after knocking out Tyrrell Anthony Herndon, 38, in June.
Despite questions over his form, Wilder’s plans were dramatically boosted when unified champion Usyk publicly identified him as a priority opponent for next year.
Wilder and Chisora recently went face-to-face at an IBA event headlined by Murat Gassiev’s, 32, win over Kubrat Pulev, 44, fuelling talk of a long-delayed meeting.
However, treating Chisora as a tune-up would carry obvious risk.
Del Boy has enjoyed a late-career resurgence, defeating Gerald Washington, 43, Joe Joyce, 40, and Otto Wallin, 35, in successive fights to re-establish himself as a dangerous contender.
During his face-off with Wilder, Chisora called out The Bronze Bomber for his 50th and final career fight.
He told SunSport: “It was a little taste of what’s coming in the United Kingdom.
“We were meant to fight in December, that was fight number 50 right there for me in December.
“I believe that he got a phone call from somewhere else and he took that but it kind of fell through now. So that’s it.
“I’m confident, I want to make it happen. I believe we can make it happen and it will sell out straight away.”
While a Chisora bout remains unconfirmed, Wilder’s focus is firmly on Usyk, with negotiations for a heavyweight title fight described as “very promising”.
The Bronze Bomber is being lined up as a voluntary WBC challenger after Usyk vacated the WBO belt earlier this year, allowing Fabio Wardley, 30, to take the title.
Speaking to IBA Boxing, Wilder said: “Just the excitement that it has drawn for boxing fans has been amazing, and I don’t doubt that it’s going to happen.
“At this moment in time of negotiation, it looks very promising. My heart is pumping right now just to get back in there.”
Usyk retained his unified WBC, WBA and IBF titles by stopping Daniel Dubois, 28, in July and has been clear about his interest in Wilder.
He said: “I want to fight Deontay Wilder. This is a world champion guy, this is a very famous guy, this is a strong guy.”
Wilder insists his recent struggles were mental rather than physical and believes the Usyk opportunity has refocused him.
He said: “My life has been crazy, but to still have my mindset right, still happy, I’m still here. To get this opportunity, it’s a blessing.”
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