Deontay Wilder v Derek Chisora: Back the Bronze Bomber for an explosive upset in London

Deontay Wilder v Derek Chisora
London, Saturday 4th April 2026
22:30 BST, live on DAZN

Derek Chisora aims to roll back the years and deliver another upset win when the 42-year-old Londoner takes on American knockout artist Deontay Wilder. War faces the Bronze Bomber at the O2 Arena, London, on Saturday evening before the DAZN cameras, but who will come out on top in this mouth-watering heavyweight shootout?

Traders working on the Betfair Sportsbook have a Chisora win as the most likely outcome here, pricing the local as their pre-fight favourite at 4/91.44. That makes sense, after seeing Wilder lose four of his previous six starts, with three losses coming inside the distance. Despite that form doing little to inspire bettors, the underdog brings an earth-shattering 98% KO average.

Chisora vs Wilder is scheduled for 12 rounds, with a global audience watching. You can predict the winner or play one of the many specials available at Betfair.

War arrives in form 

When Chisora was stopped in round 10 by Tyson Fury at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December 2022, many fight fans thought it was the end of the road. War Chisora proved no match for the Gypsy King when challenging for the WBC belt. That was his fourth defeat in five, after losing to Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker twice. But there was plenty more in the tank.

Chisora reeled off three surprise wins since losing to Fury, with all victories coming on the scorecards. Chisora outpointed Gerald Washington and Joe Joyce at this venue before making light work of Otto Wallin in Manchester last time. With a record of 36 wins against 13 defeats, Chisora is a real throwback. He's ready and willing to face anyone in the division.

It's likely that Chisora's days of challenging for world titles are over. He's in danger of becoming something of a gateway fighter. The problem with that is Derek keeps beating opponents he was supposed to lose against. 

Oddsmakers have learned their lesson, and you'll now find Chisora as a 4/91.44 favourite on the Betfair Sportsbook to defeat Wilder in the UK capital.

Bronze Bomber faces a must-win

British boxing fans will likely remember Wilder most from his three meetings with Fury. The pair battled to a surprise draw in 2018 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Tyson won the rematch in round seven and ended the feud with an 11th-round stoppage in the trilogy. Like the man standing in the opposite corner, critics believed we'd seen the last of Deontay.

The 6'6" orthodox boxer from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, arrives in London with a pro boxing card detailing 44 wins against four defeats and one draw. The spare level finish was against Fury. The Bronze Bomber has beaten 43 of his 44 previous victims inside the distance, but he was stopped in three of his four defeats. Wilder is an all-or-nothing, all-action fighter with frightening power.

After losing four of his last six - stopped twice by Fury, once by Zhilei Zhang, and losing on points to Parker - Wilder knows Saturday is a must-win. Losing to a former world title challenger who's past his best would prove that Deontay's time as a force at heavyweight is over. Win, and the 40-year-old will drive himself back into the thick of a fascinating division. 

Wilder is 7/42.75 to win on the Betfair Sportsbook, with the draw at 16/117.00. 

Shoot for the value on fight night

I'm a huge fan of Chisora. He appears to be taking his training and career more seriously now than ever before, and we're seeing the results. Some thought he was cooked, but Chisora continues to stay active, share a ring with dangerous opponents, and he's no stranger to an upset. Unfortunately, I make the away win a smart bet on Saturday.

We know all about Wilder's incredible power. He may be approaching the end of his career, but a boxer's big punch is always the last thing to go. If Chisora hasn't prepared properly or is lazy on the night, he'll walk onto a big shot from the former world champion. When backing Wilder to win by KO/TKO, your bet is live throughout the fight. You're always in with a shout.

Wilder has stunning power going forward and perfect timing when on the back foot. He can box at range or stand and trade. A 98% KO average for a warrior with 49 bouts on his record is sensational. I advise backing Wilder to win by KO/TKO/DQ at 23/103.30 and sitting back to enjoy the show. The American is most dangerous when he's hurt, meaning War can never relax.

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