Deontay Wilder may be five years removed from the third installment of his all-time great heavyweight trilogy with Tyson Fury, but the sequence of fights, and the results, have left him with post-traumatic stress disorder.
That’s according to his Saturday opponent Derek Chisora, a British veteran who fights Wilder atop a MF Pro and Queensberry Promotions card at the O2 Arena in London on DAZN PPV.
Speaking on Inside The Ring, Chisora said: “I think Tyson gave Deontay PTSD. In London, we tried to speak about Tyson and he went nuts on [talksSPORT host] Simon Jordan. We tried to speak about Tyson today with Piers Morgan, and he went nuts as well. Tyson has given him PTSD.”
One of the reasons for which Wilder appeared frustrated with Morgan was because he insisted to the presenter that he was fighting Chisora, not Fury. Chisora even appeared to side with him, telling his opponent to dismiss Morgan by calling him a c***.
Elaborating on what he perceives Wilder’s mindset to be, he said:
“He’s very sensitive. He’s in a dark place right now.”
The upcoming fight April 4 will be both fighters 50th pro bout, and could be considered a crossroads of sorts for both. Should Wilder win, he could book himself one final payday against the likes of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, or the internet sensation Jake Paul.
Chisora has already indicated this could be a farewell for him, and seemed adamant he won’t struggle with retirement, only to return to the sport. But if he did, off the back of a win over Wilder, he’d represent a considerable gatekeeper for the likes of Moses Itauma, Agit Kabayel, or Richard Torrez, considering a run of form that has seen him beat Gerald Washington, Joe Joyce, and Otto Wallin since his 10th round stoppage loss to Fury.
Indeed, Chisora seems to think victory will be his once they’re finally in the ring. “I’m going to smash him,” he said.
“I’m coming for him. It’s all love, but when that bell goes off, I need to get to him. If I give him space, it’ll be a long night for me. I have to get to him and smash him up.”
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