As anticipation builds for the heavyweight clash between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder, sports streaming service DAZN has partnered with VOXY Media House to deliver both a commercial campaign and a two-part documentary series charting each fighter’s preparations.
VOXY Media House, a UK-based film production company, was commissioned to create a promotional film titled Deep Waters alongside the two-part On The Ground documentary. Both productions were developed concurrently, despite the fighters training in entirely different locations.
The On The Ground series offers an inside look at both camps, following the routines, discipline and preparation behind the scenes. Filming was split between Alabama, where Deontay Wilder trained, and London, where Derek Chisora prepared, highlighting the contrast in their environments and approaches.
The concept for the commercial, Deep Waters, originated from an exchange during the fighters’ Face Off, where the subject of retirement and life beyond boxing came into focus. Wilder joked: “He’s in the retirement stage of his life. He’s trying to take me with him so we can go fishing.”
The creative idea centred on placing both fighters together by a lakeside, reflecting that moment. However, practical limitations made this difficult to achieve. With Wilder based in Alabama and Chisora in London, the production required an alternative solution.
To overcome this, filming was carried out separately in each location. Body doubles were used for wide-angle shots, while each boxer was filmed individually against green screen backgrounds within their respective camps. These elements were later merged in post-production to create the illusion of a shared setting.
Ryan Connor, Co-Founder of VOXY Media House, said: “It’s always a privilege stepping inside a fighter’s camp. Not just to see how they train, but how they live day to day. Deontay is a unique character. Funny, cool, eccentric, but also one of the hardest workers I’ve come across.
“We went for dinner with him and his team, heard stories from his past, present and his plans for the future. Deonte also took us to see his statue in Tuscaloosa. You can see why he’s achieved what he has. Getting the best out of fighters comes down to creating an environment where they feel comfortable.
“That’s something me and Joe Mitchinson – Co Founder of Voxy Media House have built over the last 10 years working closely with the sports biggest names like Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury and many more.”
After completing filming in the United States, the production team travelled back to the UK to capture Derek Chisora’s training camp in London.
This included time spent in his local neighbourhood, as well as access to recovery work and media commitments. Together, the documentary provides two distinct viewpoints ahead of the bout, while the commercial brings both fighters into a single narrative through post-production techniques.
The bout between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder is set to take place at The O2 Arena in London on Saturday, 4 April.
