Eddie Hearn weighed in on the main event of Saturday night’s boxing card at The O2 in London, where former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder edged durable British veteran Derek Chisora by split decision.
Saturday night at The O2 in London, Deontay Wilder got his hand raised in a split-decision win over Derek Chisora in a heavyweight main event that generated as many questions as answers. The former WBC titleholder left with the result, but promoter Eddie Hearn made it clear the performance didn’t exactly reset the division.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Hearn said Wilder looked improved compared to some of his recent outings, even if he wasn’t blown away by what he saw. That matters because Wilder entered the fight needing to show he’s still a real factor in a heavyweight class now centered around names like Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. For American fans, that’s the key takeaway: Wilder can still sell intrigue, but he may not have done enough here to prove he’s back as an elite threat.
“I think Wilder looked better. Listen, Chisora is not an easy opponent. He’s a tough guy who is really difficult to beat. Of course, Wilder didn’t particularly impress me, but he still showed more than I expected from him,” Hearn said.
That assessment lines up with the broader heavyweight picture. If Wilder had delivered a dominant finish, the push for another marquee fight would have come fast. Instead, a close decision over a 42-year-old Chisora likely keeps him in the conversation without fully restoring his standing. Chisora, meanwhile, once again gave fans what they’ve come to expect: pressure, grit and a willingness to make a fight ugly for anyone across from him.
Hearn also addressed Chisora’s future after another rugged performance in defeat.
“Should Chisora retire? I think yes. But that’s his personal decision. I have nothing to do with it,” Hearn said.
Whether Wilder can turn this win into one more major heavyweight opportunity — and whether Chisora decides this was his last walk — will be the real story to watch in the weeks ahead.
