Deontay Wilder: My need for a bout with Derek Chisora exceeds his.
LONDON — Deontay Wilder stated on Wednesday that he requires Derek Chisora more than Chisora requires him as he strategizes his return to heavyweight title contention.
Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) is set to face Wilder (44-4, 43 KOs) in their 49th professional fight at London’s O2 Arena on April 4.
Chisora has declared that this will be his final match, regardless of the outcome, even if it leads him toward title contention, while Wilder continues to aim for another world title opportunity.
Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk had called out Wilder last year, and sources have informed ESPN that discussions with the Ukrainian’s team were progressing, but negotiations for Wilder to fight Chisora were at a more advanced stage.
Proposed dates in December and February did not materialize, leading to the confirmation of the April bout last week.
While Wilder remains focused on a potential fight with Usyk, he understands that a victory is essential to reach that goal.
“I need this fight. I need Derek more than he needs me,” Wilder expressed at a news conference. “I need to gauge where I stand. I have been broken down and rebuilt. I can’t wait.
“This is undoubtedly a must-win for me. Not just a win, I need a decisive victory, a knockout. That’s what we come to see. We have two exceptional heavyweights here. You never know what to expect.
“He throws everything at you. You can have the toaster, the blender, and everything else. He strikes you in areas you prefer not to be hit, and he is unbothered by it.
“I told Derek I want you to try and take me out. Because I need that, and that’s what he will do. It’s a significant moment.”
Both Chisora and Wilder have engaged audiences for years with their personalities outside the ring as much as their performances inside it, but Wednesday’s news conference was notably subdued as they emphasized their friendship and stated they would not promote the fight through violence or trash talk.
Nonetheless, with Chisora aiming to conclude his career on a high note and Wilder intent on ascending the ranks once more, they both acknowledged that their camaraderie would be set aside on April 4.
“I don’t want anyone to misunderstand our friendship as it unfolds, because this has been our dynamic for a while. We are not pretending,” Wilder remarked.
“We don’t need to create drama or get upset with each other; we leave that behind. We don’t even require security here.
“But on fight night, that will change. You will witness two adversaries in the ring who will strive to defeat each other.”
Chisora, recognized for his antics at news conferences, affirmed that the buildup would remain amicable.
“Can you envision two grown men wrestling on the floor right now?” Chisora asked. “We want to promote this fight differently. All these people come out to see you [Wilder].
“I don’t want to promote this fight through violence.”
Wilder held the WBC title for five years, successfully defending it 10 times. However, he has suffered losses in four of his last six fights, making the encounter with Chisora critical.
“[There is] so much affection between me and this brother,” Wilder added. “I just want to fight him. He’s my guy.
“After this fight, I might spend a week in Alabama with my family.”
