- Wilder accuses referee Mark Bates of allowing "10 to 12" rabbit punches to the back of his head, claiming the official put his health at serious risk.
- Controversial moments included a round three stoppage that saved Chisora, a point deduction against Wilder for pushing, and a cornerman entering the ring in round one.
- Wilder says he was "afraid to sleep" after the fight due to the punishment he absorbed from illegal shots.
Wilder Won — But He's Not Happy About How It Happened
Right then. Deontay Wilder got his hand raised at The O2 on Saturday night — split decision, 115-111, 112-115, 115-113 — but you'd never know it from the way he spoke afterwards. Instead of celebrating a gutsy win in his 50th professional fight, the Bronze Bomber went straight after referee Mark Bates with a post-fight tirade that left absolutely no room for interpretation.
"That referee shouldn't be able to ref again. That's just my honest opinion." Those were Wilder's words. Not said in the heat of the moment during the fight — but in a measured, post-fight press conference where the 40-year-old American looked genuinely shaken by what he'd been through.
Rabbit Punches, Ring Invasions, and a Saved Bell
Let's break down what actually happened in that ring, because there were multiple incidents that have sparked a proper debate about UK officiating standards.
First, the rabbit punches. Wilder claims he took "10 to 12" shots to the back of the head from Derek Chisora throughout the fight. Those are illegal blows. They're dangerous. And according to Wilder, Bates did nothing about them. The Bronze Bomber revealed he was "afraid to sleep" after the fight because of the punishment he'd taken to the back of his skull. That's not gamesmanship — that's a fighter genuinely concerned about his brain health.
Then there was the round three controversy. Wilder had Chisora hurt — badly hurt — and was loading up the right hand when Chisora complained he couldn't see. Bates stopped the action to check on Chisora, then waved them back on. But by the time Wilder could get going again, the bell rang. Saved by the referee, if you like. That's a massive moment in a fight that was ultimately decided by two points on one card.
And let's not forget the round one incident. One of Chisora's corner team actually climbed into the ring to help separate the fighters when they got tangled on the ropes. Wilder was adamant that should have been a disqualification. Whether you agree or not, it's a fair point — the rules exist for a reason.
A Point Deduction That Left Wilder Stunned
As if all of that wasn't enough, Bates deducted a point from Wilder for pushing in a later round. Now, pushes happen in heavyweight boxing. They happen in every heavyweight fight ever contested. For Wilder to be docked a point — in a fight where he felt the referee was allowing illegal shots to the back of his head without consequence — was the final straw. You could see it on his face. The man was fighting two opponents that night, and one of them was in the middle of the ring wearing black.
UK Officiating Under the Microscope — Again
Make no mistake, this is bigger than one fight. British boxing officiating has come under fire repeatedly in recent years, and Wilder's comments will only add fuel to that fire. When a former world heavyweight champion — a man who has fought at the absolute highest level — says he feared for his health because of a referee's performance, that's something the BBBofC needs to take seriously.
My take? Wilder's frustration is completely understandable. The rabbit punches should have been addressed more firmly. The round three interruption was questionable. But Chisora's style has always been rough, physical, and on the edge of the rules — that's what made him so entertaining for 50 fights. The referee had a nightmare job managing that chaos. Did he get it all right? Absolutely not. Should he never ref again? That's probably a bit far. But the conversation about standards needs to happen, and Wilder has every right to start it.