Ahead of Saturday night’s heavyweight showdown with Deontay Wilder, Derek Chisora wore a Tyson Fury mask to the final weigh-in at the heaviest weight class of his career.
Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) weighed in at 266.7 pounds (19th place) to prepare for his 50th fight at London’s O2 and his last professional fight before retirement.
Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) was 40 pounds lighter at 226.4 pounds (16th 17 pounds) for the former WBC heavyweight world champion’s 50th career fight.
The two sides then had a final showdown, with Chisora pulling out his Fury mask in an attempt to antagonize the American in an iconic trilogy with the Gypsy King, but Chisora was stopped twice and tied once.
Derek Chisora weighing in at York Hall
The 40-year-old faces an uncertain future of his own in 2023-2024 following setbacks to Joseph Parker and Ji-Ray Zhang.
“I know he has PTSD from Tyson Fury, it’s a boxing game, a mind game,” Chisora told DAZN.
“Guys, I know what time it is. As I lace up my boots and gloves and get in there, all I need to do is go. There’s no point in painting over the surface. I know it’s going to be an amazing, great fight for me and this guy here.”
“I’m not looking at the fight with Chan or the guys. Looking at this guy right now, I’m saying he’s healed, he’s well-trained. I’m excited.”
Wilder got a funny look at his rival’s surprise costume when he returned to the ring for the first time since his tune-up stoppage win over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon last June.
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Derek Chisora has said his opponent Deontay Wilder will retire with him after their fight in April.
“It’s funny, I didn’t know it was Halloween,” he said. “It took me a while, but I’m here. A lot of things take time. This is definitely my time.
“You’ll see a healed Wilder in the ring.”
Wilder also addressed suggestions that there may have been an issue with his gloves in the lead-up to the fight, admitting the problem was on his side.
“I’ve broken my hand multiple times. I just want to be comfortable in the ring. I had an issue with the glove being too tight on my hand, but we’re going to fix that,” he said.
“I’m a true fighter. When it’s time to fight, let’s go. I love to fight, just like this guy loves fighting. All my life, I’ve had to fight.
“If you come Saturday night, there’s going to be an explosion.”
Questioned by Chisora himself, Wilder insisted he was uninjured and fully “healed” for a contest in which few expect him to go the distance.
Questions remain as to whether this will actually be Chisora’s last fight. Wilder is out to make sure that happens.
“I believe in him. He said he was going to retire and he promised his wife,” he said.
“I’m going to be the guy that retires him.”
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