American boxer Deontay Wilder has received his first opponent in 2026. He is Briton Derek Chisora, The Ring reports.
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk announced his desire to fight Wilder at the end of 2025. At that time, the Ukrainian's team was discussing the possibility of holding a fight with Wilder in the spring.
However, Wilder's first opponent in 2026 will not be Usyk. The American boxer will instead face Derek Chisora: the fight will take place on April 4 in London at the O2 Arena.
Wilder and Chisora have not yet crossed paths in the ring. The American's last fight was in June 2025 against Tyrell Herndon, which ended with Wilder winning by technical knockout in the seventh round. Chisora, on the other hand, last entered the ring in February 2025, when he defeated Otto Wallin by unanimous decision.
In January, Oleksandr Usyk was challenged by German boxer Agit Kabael, who defeated Pole Damian Knyba as the interim WBC world champion.