Heavyweight boxing star Deontay Wilder reignited his long-standing rivalry with Anthony Joshua following a hard-fought victory over Derek Chisora on April 4, 2026.
The bout, held at The O2 Arena.
Wilder secured a split-decision win in a dramatic contest that marked the 100th professional fight (combined) for both heavyweights.
Two judges scored the fight 115-111 and 115-113 in favour of Wilder, while the third judge awarded it 115-112 to Chisora.
Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KOs) delivered a resilient performance in a closely contested clash.
The American knocked Chisora down in the eighth round but was penalised with a point deduction for pushing his opponent through the ropes.
Chisora, who had announced the fight would be his final professional appearance, responded with determination and briefly stunned Wilder with a knockdown in the 11th round.
Despite the late scare, Wilder held on to claim victory in a bout widely praised for its intensity and competitiveness.
After the fight, Wilder admitted he may have “held back” at certain moments out of respect for Chisora’s farewell outing.
Moments after the fight, Wilder wasted no time shifting focus to Joshua. In a tense encounter backstage, Wilder approached the former unified champion and issued a direct challenge, saying: “Let’s do it.”
Joshua, who was attending the event in his first public appearance since a reported car accident in December 2025, did not publicly respond to the challenge.
While Wilder is eager to secure a blockbuster showdown, Joshua’s camp appears to be prioritising a potential mega-fight with Tyson Fury. Promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that discussions are ongoing for a high-profile clash that could take place in late 2026 or early 2027.
There are also reports indicating that preliminary agreements may already be in place for a Joshua vs Fury bout, potentially in Dublin later this year.
Wilder’s victory keeps him firmly in the heavyweight title conversation, while his callout adds fresh intrigue to a rivalry that once dominated boxing headlines.
However, with Joshua’s future plans still taking shape, it remains unclear whether fans will finally see the long-awaited showdown.
