Derek Chisora Pushes Deontay Wilder Rematch After Split Decision
Deontay Wilder’s split-decision win over Derek Chisora last month has turned into a rematch push after Chisora reacted angrily to Wilder saying he held back in the later rounds. Wilder said he was thinking of Chisora’s children when he chose not to pursue a more emphatic finish, and that comment has now put a second fight back on the table.
Chisora Pushes Back
Amer Abdallah said Chisora called him a couple of weeks ago and demanded another fight after hearing Wilder say he took it easy on him and sent him home to his family. “He called me a couple of weeks ago and he was perturbed, he was upset that Deontay said that he took it easy on him and sent him home to his family. He was livid. He kept saying ‘get me the rematch, get me the rematch’.”
That reaction matters because Chisora had said before the bout that it would be his last outing. Now the 43-year-old is moving in the opposite direction, and the result of their fight at the O2 Arena is no longer being treated as the final word between them.
Abdallah Sees Wilder Open
Abdallah said, “we can have that conversation,” and added, “I definitely think Deontay would be open to it.” He also said, “I think that Deontay Wilder would absolutely take the rematch and the great thing with Deontay is that he is back.”
Sky Sports reported that Chisora’s wife has given him the green light to take part in a rematch with Wilder later in 2026. Abdallah said MF Pro is hoping to promote the fight and said, “We have a great relationship with Deontay and I would like to think that we have protected the interests of the promotion to be able to secure, if there was a rematch or future business with, both guys.”
Wilder Back In The Picture
Wilder’s win over Chisora also carried a wider consequence for the heavyweight division. After the fight, he outlined hopes of targeting another shot at the world heavyweight title, and Abdallah said, “He is in a position now where he is back in the heavyweight picture.”
He went further on Wilder’s standing, saying, “More importantly, Deontay is mentally and emotionally in a wonderful place, probably the best in his career, because when you hit rock bottom, it is the best foundation to build off.” He added, “He is in a dangerous place for that heavyweight division, he is a player back in that division now.”
The immediate shift is simple: Chisora’s retirement talk no longer looks final, and Wilder’s post-fight restraint has opened a path to a second bout that both sides now appear willing to discuss.
