Derek Chisora, Deontay Wilder keep it respectful but make a promise for fight night

Heading into Wednesday's press conference to promote their April 4 fight on DAZN, the expectation was that fireworks would be on display with heavyweights Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder. However, people in attendance and watching around the world saw the unexpected when Chisora made his way to the dais and embraced Wilder with a hug. 

We heard about Chisora and Wilder going out for fish and chips, and the former saying after the fight he'd likely go to Alabama and go fishing with the former WBC heavyweight champion. The million-dollar question is, why have things been so cool, calm, and collected thus far since the fight was announced on Friday?

"I think because we’re old," Chisora admits. "He’s 40. I’m in my 40s (42), so can you imagine two grown men wrestling right now to the floor (Wilder laughs). You’d be like, ‘What the hell is this?’

"I don’t want to sell this fight with violence. There’s too much violence in the world right now. We want to sell it on the point of there’s so much love between me and my brother (Wilder)."

"You got two beautiful heavyweights up here that you don’t know what to expect from them," Wilder said. "We have a question mark on our backs because we’re unpredictable as fighters. His style matches mine, and mine matches him. He comes with everything. He throws everything and the kitchen sink. He wants to win and do whatever it takes to win. That’s what I want, and that’s what I need."

While the respect is there between the two, it all goes away come fight week. 

"When the night of the fight comes, you will see two enemies in the ring who are going to try to whoop each other," Wilder said. "Like I told Derek, ‘I want you to try and kill me because I need that’. I need that, and that’s what he’s going to do.

"I believe when the fight arrives in April, it’s done," Chisora said. "The friendship is out the window. Put the friendship in the bag for the time being, and then we are at it."

Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) and Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) are at different stages of their respective careers. The Englishman is on the way out regardless of the result on April 4, while the American is looking to get back on top of the heavyweight mountain.

"This is a special moment," Wilder said. "My 50th fight. His 50th fight. Combined together, it’s the 100th fight. One is looking to retire, and the other one is looking to be the diamond in the rough."

Each guy is looking for the knockout. But what will happen afterwards?

"I need a knockout," Wilder said.

"After 12 rounds, five rounds, then we hug and shake," Chisora said.

The Ring

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