Deontay Wilder confirms trainer for Derek Chisora fight and opens up on Malik Scott split

Deontay Wilder has confirmed that he will continue working with Don House for his upcoming clash with Derek Chisora.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ promoted House to head trainer after parting ways with Malik Scott last year.

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House initially joined Wilder’s team as a cutman before rising through the ranks to lead the former WBC heavyweight champion into battle for his stoppage win over Tyrrell Herndon in June.

It marked his first victory in three years, and Wilder is keen to keep the momentum going as he gears up to lock horns with Chisora on April 4 at London’s O2 Arena.

“Don House is my trainer for this one,” Wilder told talkSPORT.com.

“I needed a change in direction after Malik [Scott] and Don has had over 28 champions in UFC and boxing.

“He’s usually the head trainer, but when he first came on board with me, he had no problem stepping to one side and doing certain things to be a part of the team.

“Now, it’s the time for him to step up, and he took the opportunity with both hands.

“Don and I were getting to know each other while Malik was in that spot, so when the transition happened, it was natural.

“I always knew he was a great trainer, but just because you are a great trainer doesn’t mean you are the right fit for a certain type of fighter.

“A trainer and a fighter have to have a bond. So once we built the relationship, I felt he was ready to take over.”

Deontay Wilder’s split with Malik Scott

Scott was on hand to negotiate troubled waters for Wilder during a turbulent patch both inside and outside of the ring.

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The former heavyweight contender took the reins from Mark Breland ahead of Wilder’s trilogy bout with Tyson Fury in 2021.

Wilder was subsequently knocked out in the eleventh round, but he rebounded one year later to flatten Robert Helenius in what would be his sole victory under Scott’s guidance.

The Tuscaloosa slugger then dropped a landslide unanimous decision to Joseph Parker before suffering a vicious stoppage loss at the hands of Zhilei Zhang.

While the Zhang defeat spelt an end to their four-year partnership, Wilder refuses to place the blame for his downturn in form on Scott’s shoulders.

“Malik Scott is my brother, and I needed him at that moment in time,” Wilder added.

“I needed people that I trusted because the people around me started to change, especially my old trainer.

“Malik and I never had a plan in place in terms of how long we would work together, but I think he did an amazing job.

“I could have had Emanuel Steward in my corner, and the results would have been the same because mentally I wasn’t there anymore.

“The results that happened when Malik was here were not his fault.

“The way I look at it, we both won. He built me up to where I am now mentally, and I helped him boost his resume as a trainer.

“Now he has got more clientele and more money than before I worked with him.

“We are both very thankful for each other. He’s happy for me, and I’m happy for him.”