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Wilder Blames Referee for Putting His Life at Risk in Chisora Win
The former heavyweight champion says he may not sleep tonight due to the referee's actions.
Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:06pm
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Despite picking up a split decision win over Derek Chisora, Deontay Wilder blamed referee Mark Bates for allowing Chisora to land '10 to 12' shots to the back of his head, which Wilder said could prevent him from sleeping tonight due to concerns about his health and safety. Wilder claimed the referee's failure to stop the fight sooner would have led to a third-round knockout, and he lost a point in the eighth round for pushing Chisora to the ground after a knockdown.
Why it matters
Wilder's comments highlight the ongoing debate around fighter safety and the role of referees in protecting boxers, especially in high-profile matchups. His concerns about potential long-term health issues from the blows to the back of the head raise questions about concussion protocols and whether more can be done to ensure fighter wellbeing.
The details
Despite landing 18 fewer punches than Chisora, Wilder remained in control for most of the fight and landed knockdowns in the eighth and 11th rounds to win a split decision. However, Wilder blamed referee Mark Bates for not stopping the fight much sooner, claiming Chisora landed '10 to 12' shots to the back of his head that could have serious consequences. Wilder also lost a point in the eighth round for pushing Chisora to the ground after a knockdown, which contributed to the split decision.
- Wilder picked up the win over Chisora on April 5, 2026.
The players
Deontay Wilder
A former WBC heavyweight champion who picked up a split decision win over Derek Chisora.
Derek Chisora
A veteran heavyweight boxer who lost a split decision to Deontay Wilder.
Mark Bates
The referee who officiated the fight between Wilder and Chisora.
What they’re saying
“If the ref was fair, you're looking at a third-round stoppage. There were so many things going on; I got hit in the back of the head like 10 to 12 times. Then, when I finally retaliate and hit back, you point fingers at me. You know how many fighters got hit in the head and don't wake up tomorrow?”
— Deontay Wilder, Boxer
“I might not even go to sleep tonight because of the awareness of getting hit in the back of the head and not waking up tomorrow. I feel good externally, but internally, something may be developing that I can't see right now. Because a referee decided to allow something to happen that shouldn't have happened.”
— Deontay Wilder, Boxer
What’s next
Wilder has called out Anthony Joshua for a potential matchup, which would be a highly anticipated heavyweight bout between two former champions.
The takeaway
Wilder's comments highlight the ongoing concerns around fighter safety and the role of referees in protecting boxers, especially in high-profile fights. His fears about potential long-term health issues from the blows to the back of the head raise questions about whether more can be done to ensure fighter wellbeing in the sport.
