Deontay Wilder tells Anthony Joshua 'let's do it' after beating Derek Chisora into retirement - 'Scared as f***'

Deontay Wilder moved on swiftly from his split-decision win over Derek Chisora on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London. The 40-year-old briefly met another former world champion, Anthony Joshua, and appeared to suggest that the pair finally meet in the ring after years of speculation. They could now take part in a huge heavyweight clash in their next competitive appearance.

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Deontay Wilder claimed Anthony Joshua was ”scared as f***” after he appeared to offer his next bout to the British fighter, who has been tipped for a return to the ring in July.

Wilder had just beaten Derek Chisora 115-111, 115-113, 112-115 at the O2 Arena in London, and as he made his way backstage, Joshua walked towards him.

The pair exchanged fist bumps, before Wilder confidently said, ”Let’s do it, let’s do it,” suggesting the two meet in the ring after years of speculation.

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As the 40-year-old Wilder moved away from Joshua, the former IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight champion, he exclaimed, ”He’s scared as f***.”

In his post-fight press conference, Wilder was asked about the exchange, and 'the Bronze Bomber' played down any animosity, but vowed that he wanted to "clean up" the division while there were willing opponents.

He explained: "It wasn't a few words. I dapped up with him and said, 'Let's get it on.' It's as simple as that. I'm ready for whoever. As long as these guys are in the heavyweight division, I'm here.

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"You can call me Mr Clean because I want to clean up the whole division. The heavyweight division is nothing without Deontay Wilder.

"The character I bring, the things that I say - what other fighter do you know who makes things go viral? You need that type of character. Somebody that's real, somebody that's passionate about what he says, and is unapologetic for what he says. I mean what I say, I feel what I say."

"These are not emotions I speak from, this is passion from my heart I speak from. A lot of fighters are scared to speak about these things, especially unjust."

Joshua has not fought since his lucrative meeting with influencer and boxer Jake Paul in December 2025, when he knocked out the American in a predictably one-sided contest.

Before then, he suffered the fourth defeat of his career, against Daniel Dubois in September the year before, missing the chance to become a three-time world champion.

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‘You’ve got to live for your kids’ - Wilder ‘looked out’ for Chisora

Both Chisora and Wilder had their own reasons driving them on to victory in London, with Wilder claiming he went easy on his opponent.

Chisora had declared before the clash that this would be his valedictory appearance in the ring. At 42, the Briton had been advised to retire several times in recent years, including by his former promoter, Eddie Hearn.

The fight with Willder was the 50th of his career, after three consecutive wins against Gerald Washington, Joe Joyce and, most recently, Otto Wallin in February last year.

Wilder, the former WBC champion best known for a brutal trilogy against Tyson Fury and extraordinarily heavy hands, was also making his 50th appearance in the ring against Chisora.

After his last meeting with Fury, a loss in October 2021, he went on to beat Robert Helenius before consecutive losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. He last fought in June last year, stopping Tyrell Herndon.

On the night, Chisora received the heaviest blows and was down on the canvas more than once as Wilder recreated something close to his most devastating power.

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The two went the distance and Wilder was given the fight on a split decision from the judges’ scorecards.

"I had an adorable opponent. I knew Derek was going to bring everything he had," Wilder said to DAZN after the fight.

"In the ring I saw his temple start to swell. I said, 'You've got to live for your kids.' Too many lives have been lost in this ring, nobody gives a damn about us. Us fighters have to look out for each other.

"Tonight, I looked out for him, I want him to live for his kids. It's time for us to take care of each other. I have seven of my own, those are my best friends."

Price beats Pineiro to tee up huge Shields fight

Earlier on Saturday night, Lauren Price remained unified welterweight champion in her clash against Stephanie Pineiro.

The Welsh fighter welcomed the Puerto Rican challenger to Cardiff, with the 31-year-old looking to maintain her unbeaten record.

Pineiro and Price pushed each other hard for all 10 rounds, with both fighters ending the contest bloodied.

Price was declared the unanimous winner, with two cards scoring it 98-92 in her favour, and the third judge scoring it 99-91.

A former kickboxer and professional footballer, Price now boasts a 10-0 (2 KOs) record and keeps her WBC, IBF and WBA straps.

Following the end of the fight, five-weight world champion Claressa Shields stepped into the ring for a face-off with Price before a proposed bout at 160lbs.

All UFC events can be re-watched on the streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK, HBO Max.

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