Former trainer says Chisora will force answers as heavyweight veterans meet in London
Deontay Wilder faces Derek Chisora on April 4 at The O2 Arena in London, with questions around where Wilder stands at this stage of his career. Former trainer Malik Scott said Chisora’s pressure will force answers.
Both men enter their 50th professional bout deep into their forties, carrying long mileage at the top level. Wilder once held the WBC heavyweight title and built a run of defenses behind his right hand, but recent results have shifted the picture after losses to Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
Chisora comes in with form behind him, having won his last three against Otto Wallin, Gerald Washington and Joe Joyce, giving this fight a different shape than it might have had a few years ago.
Scott, speaking to Seconds Out, pointed to what Wilder will be forced to deal with once the bell goes.
“Deontay knows exactly what he’s dealing with with Derek Chisora. We’re just going to have to see because Chisora is going to make him answer all the questions he wants to know about himself.
“I love Deontay. That’s my brother … I probably do worry about him. I do, that’s my brother. He gave me a shot at training him. We have so much history together. I don’t want to say I worry, but I think about him and I always want the best for him.”
Chisora brings pressure and keeps coming forward, forcing exchanges and dragging opponents into a physical fight. That style will test Wilder’s timing and whether the right hand still carries him through tough rounds.
Wilder needs to find his right hand early, but he also has to hold position when Chisora closes the distance and starts working the body.
For Chisora, a fourth straight win would close his career with momentum. For Wilder, it is about proving he still belongs at this level.