Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has emphatically declared his return to the sport, claiming the division is "nothing without him" and vowing to "clean up" the entire weight class. Wilder made these bold statements following his split decision victory over British veteran Derek Chisora at London's O2 Arena on Saturday night, marking his first win after a difficult period that included two consecutive losses to long-time rival Tyson Fury.
Wilder's Confident Comeback Statement
"Many people doubted me, many people counted me out, many people threw dirt on my name, but you can't throw dirt at someone who is chosen. I am chosen," Wilder proclaimed in his post-fight interview. The American boxer, now 40 years old, insisted he is fully healed and improving with every training session and fight. "I am truly healed and I am truly back," he asserted, positioning himself as a dominant force ready to reclaim his status at the top of the heavyweight ranks.
Aiming Digs at Fury and Social Media Presence
Wilder didn't hesitate to take a thinly-veiled swipe at Tyson Fury, who is preparing for his own comeback bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Saturday after 16 months away from the ring following defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. "As long as these guys are in the heavyweight division, I'm here and you can call me Mr Clean because I'm gonna clean up the whole division," Wilder declared, directly referencing the competitive landscape that includes Fury.
He further emphasized his unique persona in boxing, stating: "The heavyweight division is nothing without Deontay Wilder. The character that I bring, the things that I say, what other fighters do you know that make things go viral from the things that he say? I don't know one." Wilder positioned himself as an essential, authentic presence in the sport, describing himself as "real, passionate about what he says and unapologetic for what he says."
Potential Future Opponents and UK Return
Despite some frustration with referee Mark Bates' performance and receiving boos from sections of the London crowd, Wilder expressed enthusiasm about fighting in England again. He exchanged words with Anthony Joshua at the event and openly discussed potential matchups with British fighters. "I love coming over here where some of the best fans in the world is," Wilder said. "So, why not come to where boxing is loved? I would love to come here again."
Interest in Rising British Prospect
Wilder also revealed he would be willing to face highly-rated British prospect Moses Itauma, who stopped Jermaine Franklin at Manchester's Co-Op Live venue last month. "I didn't know who Moses was but I saw his last fight with Franklin and what a hell of a KO that he did," Wilder admitted. "He seems like a potential champion that you guys have here and why not test him."
The veteran fighter emphasized his open approach to future bouts: "I'm in the heavyweight division. All these other characters are in the heavyweight division. Why not? I'm not dogging anyone. I'm a veteran in the game and I'm looking to fight any and all, especially if the fans want to see it, let's see." This statement opens the door to potential high-profile fights against Joshua, Fury, or Itauma on British soil in the coming months.
With both Wilder and Fury making their respective returns to the ring within days of each other, the heavyweight division appears poised for renewed excitement and potential blockbuster matchups in 2026. Wilder's victory over Chisora and his confident declarations have certainly reignited interest in his career and the competitive dynamics at the top of boxing's most prestigious weight class.
