Chisora gains long-awaited revenge
It felt like we'd been at the 'must win' stage with Derek Chisora for what was the last six or seven years. Saturday night at the O2 was no different. Yet as we sit here in the aftermath of arguably his career best win, a 38-year-old Chisora is already eyeing up one of the division's most dangerous ever fighters. This is a man built differently.
Let's set the scene - Hamburg, Germany, May 2016. Derek Chisora walks away with career defeat number six. Kubrat Pulev becomes European Champion, whilst simultaneously landing himself the guarantee of a shot at Anthony Joshua's IBF title. For Derek, likely a return to domestic level.
Now, six years on, the same Kubrat Pulev bowled into Chisora's hometown with a look in to all but retiring his former foe.
Like I said, we had heard the retirement stuff before. Win or lose the public have largely bought into the persona of Derek Chisora, and of course the all-action style he brings in the ring to match. Nobody expected anything else but the same from his second go-around with Pulev, and by no surprise that is exactly what they got.
The fight week itself was fairly tame by Chisora standards. Words were exchanged, but tables stayed grounded and there was no kissing (thankfully). The open workout had a fairly tense head-to-head, but only after an organised game of musical chairs. Yes, I'm actually serious. One theme of the fight week was Pulev's intent to call Chisora out for 'being scared', but somehow I don't think even he believed that.
Once the fight week was wrapped up, it was all eyes on Derek's adopted home of the O2 arena - the scene of his last win against David Price, and arguably his most iconic, when he iced Carlos Takam back in 2018.
So the fight began, and from the off it was clear to see what Chisora wanted. He wanted it up close and personal. Pulev popped out his jab and when he did look to land with power, Chisora did well to steer clear. Del Boy went hard for the body early and with some success, but Pulev remained relatively unharmed and used his ring experience to navigate what was a clear Chisora tactic of an early onslaught.
The middle rounds were very unclean and visibly taxing on both men. The experienced chins were holding up well and the punches albeit slower, did not shorten in output. The seventh saw the crowd rise to their feet as Chisora connected with some massive right hands. Pulev gave ground and had to deal with a cut in the corner of his left eye.
Wounded but dangerous in the 8th, Pulev looked to have seized control as Chisora leaned into an uppercut that would've sent the average man's head into the Thames. Both men continued the savagery in the ninth and the brutality drew more blood from Pulev, who by the 10th was covered in his own claret.
Both men had a pop outside of the bell and were warned for such by Marcus McDonnell. The fight closed off in terrific style, with both men pushing the action to the delight of the London crowd. It was the perfect mix of viciousness and dignity. Two warriors putting it on the line for the sport.
The final bell did however unfortunately have to sound, and both men were applauded for their monstrous efforts.
Just like 2016, this one had gone the distance...
... and of course just like 2016, this one had once again been ruled a split!
Kubrat Pulev was ruled a 116-112 winner in the eyes of the sole Bulgarian judge, but it was Derek Chisora who walked away the victor after a 116-112 & 116-114 on two of the judges' cards.
So that was it. Six years on, Del Boy had his revenge. His relevance at the top table preserved for another day. Win number 33.
Exactly where this number leads him will of course remain to be seen. What we do know is that it will have to be lucrative, and it will have to invoke excitement. Deontay Wilder does both of these, and Derek wasn't afraid to call the former WBC Champ's name. Needless to say he's a man with a weapon like no other, and after a career of sheer brutality, you have to wonder whether that is a weapon a man like Derek Chisora really needs to run into.