2026-02-05 12:20:12

Deontay Wilder has revealed stalled negotiations with Oleksandr Usyk forced him to change course in a move that ultimately led to his upcoming fight with Derek Chisora.

The Bronze Bomber, 40, will face Del Boy, 42, at London’s O2 Arena on April 4, 2026 after talks for an unlikely title fight with The Cat, 39, failed to produce a date or venue.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Wilder explained: “Although we were in talks with Usyk, we still didn’t have a date or a place; we were still scrambling around. In boxing, things either go very slow or very fast. There is no in between, and this was very slow.”

The former WBC heavyweight champion explained that time was a decisive factor as he weighed up his options late last year.

He said: “I am an older fighter; I can’t sit around like a young fighter.

“So while we were in negotiations with Usyk, we started negotiations with Chisora. This fight was supposed to happen back in December, so talks were already in an advanced stage.”

Wilder added that by the time progress was finally made on the Usyk front, it was too late to change direction.

He said: “By the time everything had stalled with Usyk, we already got the fight signed with Chisora.

“Then, when we had it signed, that is when Usyk’s people came in and said, ‘Okay, let’s go, we are ready.’ But I wasn’t going to do Chisora like that.”

Chisora is preparing for what he has billed as his 50th and final professional bout, and Wilder said that played a major role in honouring the agreement.

He said: “Me and Chisora have already been through enough. I didn’t want to back out now. This is his 50th fight and final fight, and what better guy to retire with? I’m one of his good mates.”

The winner could yet remain relevant in a heavyweight division still led by unified champion Usyk with promoter Kalle Sauerland suggesting the loser may have little option but to retire.

Both fighters are firmly in the twilight of their careers, as Wilder has lost four of his last six contests since his brutal trilogy with Tyson Fury, 37, while his points win over Tyrrell Herndon, 38, last June did little to silence doubts about his decline.

Even so, Wilder has insisted he is not ready to walk away from boxing just yet.

He said: “I get past Derek, and that will put the heavyweight division on notice, and then we can move on to Usyk.”

“Many men have claimed they are retired, only to get sucked back in. It all depends on how full you are. I’m not full yet.

“I love this sport, even though it is filled with crooks. This business changed my life and the life of my children.”

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