In six weeks, Deontay Wilder will clash with Derek Chisora in a must-win match. Now, recently fired trainer Malik Scott has shared his thoughts on how the “Bronze Bomber” will fare against the veteran heavyweight.
Wilder appointed Scott’s former opponent as his head coach in preparation for a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury in 2021, and despite losing that competition, Wilder opted to retain Scott in the cornerback role.
However, defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang meant three losses from four fights under Scott’s tutelage, and the Alabama-born operator opted to part ways with Scott before his return.
Instead, trainer Don House took control of Wilder’s victory over Tyrrell Herndon last year, and House will remain the main cornerback against Chisora, where another victory could lead to a shot at Oleksandr Usyk and the unified heavyweight throne.
I’m talking to LalosBoxingScott looked ahead to the scrap heap and explained why he believes Chisora will bring the best out of his former fighter.
“I think Deontay is in a position where some opponents can get the best out of him in the second half [of his career] best of him.
“I think Chisora is one of them, why is he one of them? Because he is tenacious, he will step forward and basically ask you a question that you have to answer. I come to you, can you handle it? If you can handle it, it will be a good fight. If you can’t handle it, God will be with you.”
“I pray that if he continues to get even, as I think he does, he can get Chisora out of there. If not, Chisora can make it a long evening for him, just like he can do anyone else.”
Scott then began to analyze why Wilder couldn’t afford to look beyond Chisora and entertain a potential meeting with Usyk.
“Deontay will have a solemn fight against Derek Chisora. Chisora is having a great moment in his career and Chisora truly believes he can knock out Deontay, he is not thinking about this decision.
“The same questions you ask me about what Deontay looks like are the same things Chisora sees. So he thinks he has the right Deontay at the right time.
“It’s now Deontay’s job to throw a wrench into all these plans at the O2 Arena.”
The Wilder-Chisora gala will take place on Saturday, April 4 at the O2 Arena in Londonwith the full card available to stream live via DAZN PPV.