Derek Chisora’s much-anticipated retirement battle has been hit by late drama, with Deontay Wilder raising a glove difficulty on Friday.
British heavyweight Chisora is due to face former world champion Wilder on Saturday, with the pair headlining at London’s O2 Arena, but the lead-up to Friday night’s weigh-in introduced motive for concern.
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Saturday’s occasion is being organised by MF Pro, which is co-run by Wasserman chief Sauerland, who was requested about a potential glove difficulty on Friday. And the promoter confirmed that such a downside had arisen.
Deontay Wilder raised a glove grievance on Friday (Getty Images)
“First of all, no panic on the Titanic here, it’s not our first rodeo,” Sauerland instructed iFL TV. “It’s also not the first time there’s been a big flare-up around big heavyweight fights and gloves.
“It’s also not the first fight ever involving Deontay Wilder, involving gloves,” Sauerland added, referencing the American boxer’s previous glove-tampering allegations against three-time opponent Tyson Fury – allegations that Fury has always denied.
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“So yeah, it was all too plain sailing,” Sauerland continued. “Yes, there were some dramatics this morning at the weigh-in. There’s some issues around the gloves, I can confirm that. I can’t really say much more to what those dramas were. Let me go and do my job!” Sauerland laughed.
At the night weigh-in, Wilder took accountability for raising the grievance, saying: “It was my issue, I’ve broken my hand so many times, and the glove that was provided… As you can see, all the surgeries that I’ve had… I just want to be comfortable in the ring.
“We had an issue with the gloves being too tight on my hands. We’re gonna see what happens, we’ll get it straightened out. I just wanna be right, I wanna be comfortable [to] where there’s no excuses.”
Chisora claimed it was the first he was listening to of the downside. The Independent understands that occasion organisers are “hopeful” the points will be resolved, but that a decision is yet to be confirmed.
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In his interview with iFL TV, Sauerland referred to the morning weigh-in, which took place behind closed doorways as is customary, while the public weigh-in took place on Friday night time. It saw Chisora tip the scales at 266.7lb, before Wilder came in at 226.4lb.
After weighing in, both fighters confronted off, with Chisora sporting a Fury masks and declaring it a “mind game” against Wilder.
Derek Chisora (left) arrived at Thursday’s press convention in a tank, accompanied by Reform politician Nigel Farage (PA Wire)
Chisora, 42, has vowed to retire after Saturday’s predominant occasion, although retirement has appeared a daunting prospect to the former world-title challenger in current years. Meanwhile, some followers and pundits really feel that Wilder should also retire this weekend, but the 40-year-old has steered he will keep boxing regardless of the outcome.
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Wilder beforehand accused Fury of tampering with the Briton’s own gloves during their three-fight rivalry. Wilder secured a controversial draw with Fury in 2018, before struggling stoppage losses to the “Gypsy King” in 2020 and 2021 – the first defeats of the American’s profession.
Wilder has lost to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang since then, but he has also knocked out Robert Helenius and Tyrrell Anthony Herndon. As such, he will enter the O2 Arena on a 2-4 run in his last six bouts.
Some followers will marvel how Chisora will enter the O2 Arena, given he arrived at Thursday’s press convention in a tank, accompanied by controversial Reform UK politician Nigel Farage.
Chisora last fought in February 2025, dropping and outpointing Otto Wallin in Manchester. At the time, that battle was billed as Chisora’s ultimate contest in the UK.
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