Derek Chisora came in at a career-heaviest weight as he wore a Tyson Fury mask to his final weigh-in ahead of Saturday night's heavyweight showdown with Deontay Wilder.Â
Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) hit the scales at 266.7lbs (19st) as he prepares for what is set to mark his 50th and final professional bout before retirement at The O2 in London.
Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) was 40lbs lighter at 226.4lbs (16st 17lbs) in what will also serve as the 50th fight of the former WBC heavyweight world champion's career.
The pair then met for one final face-off, Chisora pulling out a Fury mask in a bid to antagonise the American, who was stopped twice and drew once in an iconic trilogy with the Gypsy King.
The 40-year-old faces an uncertain future of his own after setback defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang across 2023 and 2024.
"I know he has PTSD with Tyson Fury. That's the game of boxing, mind games," said Chisora on DAZN.
"All of you know what time it is. When I strap up the boots and gloves I go in there, there's only one thing, let's go. There's no point sugar-coating it, I know it will be an amazing amazing fight for me and this man here.
"I don't look at those fights with Zhang and everybody, I look at this man now, he says he's healed, he's trained well, I'm excited."
Wilder was able to see the funny side of his rival's surprise costume as he returns to the ring for the first time since last June's tune-up stoppage win over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon.
"Hilarious, I didn't know it was Halloween," he said. "I took a little time but I'm here, a lot of things take time. This is my time for sure.
"You'll see a healed Wilder in the ring."
Wilder also addressed suggestions there had been a problem surrounding gloves heading into the fight, admitting the issue had been on his side.
"I broke my hands so many times, I just want to be comfortable in the ring, I had the issue with the gloves being too tight on my hands but we'll get it straightened out," he said.
"I'm a true fighter, when it's time to fight let's go, I love fighting just like this man loves fighting. All my life I've had to fight.
"Come Saturday night they'll get an explosion."
Upon being quizzed by Chisora himself, Wilder insisted he was injury-free and fully 'healed' ahead of a contest few expect to go the distance.
There remain doubts over whether in fact this will serve as Chisora's final fight. Wilder is out to ensure it is.
"I believe him, he said he'll retire, he made a promise to his wife," he said.
"I'm going to be the man to retire him."
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