Deontay Wilder beat Derek Chisora but won something better

Deontay Wilder grew his fan base throughout his championship career with electric, terrifying, fight-finishing power, yet continually attracted criticism for being too one-dimensional — too reliant, they said, on his concussive right hand. For a while that right hand was enough to floor every opponent he ever faced, if not knock them out them entirely. It was referred to as a touch of death for good reason.

But several years ago against Tyson Fury, Wilder showed he has attributes you just can’t teach in boxing gyms: His fight-or-flight response. In the ring, it’s a matter of heart. It’s something Wilder has shown time and again he has an abundance of.

Because it didn’t matter how many times Fury toppled Wilder in their all-time great trilogy, the American heavyweight kept trying to get up from the canvas until he couldn’t. While Fury gets credit for going 2-0-1 in that series, the three-fight rivalry wouldn’t be revered as one of heavyweight boxing’s very best if it wasn’t for the testicular fortitude Wilder displayed. Deontay Wilder celebrates winning against Derek Chisora at The O2, London.

Adam Davy - PA Images via Getty Images And, once again, we’re left to consider Wilder’s warrior instinct in the aftermath of Saturday night . Because in the build-up to the 50th fight of his pro career, the 40-year-old was once again counted out. Derek Chisora may have been washed, many said, but the Brit had learned to adapt to his declining abilities and was believed to be far less shot than Wilder, who showed in recent losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang that he couldn’t even pull the trigger on his punches anymore.