Derek Chisora vs Kubrat Pulev LIVE: Fight stream, latest updates plus result and reaction
Re-live updates from the main event and undercard at the O2 Arena in London
Derek Chisora halted his run of three straight defeats to beat Kubrat Pulev by a split decision and silence his doubters at the O2 Arena in London.
Two veterans of the sport did battle for a second time, having fought in Hamburg back in 2016, amid talk of what they had left to achieve in boxing. Pulev had won the first meeting by a split decision but was second best for much of the 12 rounds, with Chisora connecting a number of times with his right to make his 45th professional fight one to remember back in the capital.
It earned the 38-year-old heavyweight success after the judges scored the bout many predicted would send him into retirement 112-116, 116-112 and 116-114. The combined age of the duo was 79 but Chisora had faced Oleksandr Usyk in 2020 while Pulev was knocked out by Anthony Joshua at the end of the same year to show their desire to still go toe-to-toe with the best in the business. It was a welcome return to London for “Del Boy’ after bouts with Joseph Parker in Manchester and the former Finchley amateur boasted a strong record of six wins from seven at the O2 Arena. PA
Re-live updates from the main event and undercard, below.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Round 1
An early clinch sees Chisora slam right hooks into the midsection of Pulev.
More clinching after Chisora enters with a jab to the body.
Lots of animated head movement from Chisora after the heavyweights separate. Pulev’s torso is already red from that early barrage by Chisora.
The referee warns the fighters about some punches to the back of the head during a couple of clinches.
Chisora continues to burrow right hooks into the body of Pulev when the pair are in close.
A stern jab now for Chisora, snapping back the head of the Bulgarian.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
This one is for the vacant WBA International heavyweight title.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Now here comes Chisora, walking to the ring to “Always On My Mind”.
He pauses ringside to speak to his young children, who are watching him fight live for the first time.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
The main event is a rematch of Chisora and Pulev’s 2016 clash, which the latter won via split decision in Hamburg.
Few believe that tonight’s encounter will to go the judges’ scorecards, however, with the aging heavyweights expected to slug it out in a must-win meeting for both men.
Briton Chisora (31-12, 23 knockouts) has shown resilience in recent defeats, though, entering the O2 Arena on the back of three straight decision losses.
Pulev (29-2, 14 KOs) also went the distance last time out, outpointing Jerry Forrest in May to respond well to a 2020 knockout defeat by Anthony Joshua.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
The prospect of interviewing Derek Chisora presents a similar conundrum to the prospect of fighting him, though admittedly with significantly lower stakes. Because, whether preparing to trade punches or trade words with the heavyweight, there is the distinct possibility of being dragged into a brawl with the Briton.
Chisora has seen it all in the ring and heard it all outside of it, but treading the line between leaving the veteran disengaged and engaging him too directly is more of a dilemma for those combating the 38-year-old with questions instead of with uppercuts. In contrast, there is little chance of Chisora’s in-ring opponents encountering a disinterested “Del Boy”; Chisora, who now prefers the nickname “War”, lives to box and possesses the purest proclivity for pugilism.
Still, the feeling-out process when speaking to Chisora mirrors the early rounds of a bout, with jabs seeming to represent the wisest form of entry. So, before approaching the obvious topic of whether Saturday’s rematch with Kubrat Pulev will – maybe should – mark the end of Chisora’s long, captivating career, we start at the beginning.
Read our exclusive interview with Derek Chisora here:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments