Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora was in the works until phone call collapsed fight

Derek Chisora claims he was due to square off against Deontay Wilder on December 13 until negotiations suddenly collapsed.

The British boxing stalwart was due to make his 50th and final ring walk at the end-of-year show in Manchester.

GETTY

And while a trilogy bout against Dillian Whyte had been earmarked for the event, Chisora-Wilder was the first fight on the table.

The heavyweight titans had to be separated by security on Thursday after an intense face-off at the 2025 IBA Men’s Boxing World Championship in Dubai.

Explaining why there was so much intensity between them, Chisora told Boxing Social: “That is the fight number 50 right there.

“I showed it to you. I wasn’t meant to show it to you, but I figured I’m right here, so let’s do it.

“George Warren made this fight for December 13, and then Deontay got a phone call from the big boss, and he had to pull out.

“But I believe that deal has dropped, so it’s come back on.

“It will happen, whoever wants to put it on. I believe Frank Warren will put it on.”

Deontay Wilder is in talks with Oleksandr Usyk

If Chisora is hoping to hold out for Wilder, he may be waiting a while.

The former WBC heavyweight champion recently revealed to talkSPORT that negotiations are underway for him to square off against Oleksandr Usyk next year.

“It is definitely becoming a real conversation,” Wilder told talkSPORT’s White & Jordan on Thursday.

GETTY

“Boxing is a business, but sometimes it falls through. Right now, we are in talks for that fight, yes.

“I’m excited and looking forward to it. Once I get the final say-so and details, then my blood will be pumping.

“I am excited [for the potential of that fight happening], and once things become clearer, that is when I can go to camp.”

Usyk had been ordered to face Fabio Wardley by the WBO, but the Ukrainian opted to relinquish his belt in order to pursue a fight with Wilder.

Everything appears to be pointing towards the pair squaring off in the first half of 2026, leaving Chisora in a predicament.

‘Del Boy’ can either sit on the sidelines until the back end of the year in the hopes that a deal can be reached with Wilder, or take a rescheduled date with Whyte.

Getty

Whyte’s manager, Michael Ofo, recently told talkSPORT.com that they are pushing for the third fight to take place over the next four months after Chisora previously pulled the plug on negotiations.

It’s understood that his decision not to go through with the fight was due to his disappointment with the money up for grabs.