Derek Chisora halted his three-match losing streak to defeat Kubrat Pulev on a split decision and silence his doubters at the O2 Arena in London.
Two veterans of the sport fought for the second time after fighting in Hamburg in 2016, amid talk of what they have left to achieve in boxing.
Pulev won the first encounter on a split decision but was second best for much of the 12 rounds, with Chisora connecting several times with his right to make his 45th professional fight one to remember in the capital.
It brought success to the 38-year-old heavyweight after the judges scored the bout, which many predicted would send him into retirement, 112-116, 116-112 and 116-114.
Image: Derek Chisora (right) claimed a split decision victory at the O2 Arena
The combined age of the duo was 79, but Chisora faced Alexander Usyk in 2020, while Pulev was knocked out by Anthony Joshua later that year, to show their desire to continue fighting the best in the business. .
It was a welcome return to London for ‘Del Boy’ following bouts with Joseph Parker in Manchester and the former Finchley amateur boasted a strong record of six wins from seven at the O2 Arena.
After walking out in a golden glow to Elvis Presley’s “You are always on my mind” and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd, Chisora set to work on Pulev’s body with some early shots during the first round.
Referee Marcus McDonnell had to warn both men for grappling after just a minute and moved quickly to avoid a big right from the British boxer in the second round.
Pulev, who has only lost to Wladimir Klitschko and Joshua so far, began to gain more success in the third before Chisora managed to connect with his black gloves with an overhand right.
The 38-year-old showed his best moment in the sixth when a series of left jabs caught the Bulgarian in the face and were followed by a powerful body kick.
Image: Pulev’s defeat is only the third of his professional career
McDonnell had warned Pulev about rabbit punches late in the same round, and backed by a near-full O2 Arena, Chisora set about ending his losing streak in the seventh. A right hook left its mark on his fellow veteran, whose left eye was bleeding and was only saved by the bell, but things quickly turned around.
Pulev came out with better intent for the eighth and had Chisora reeling with a sweetly delivered right uppercut. On the ropes, Chisora came out swinging, and with both realizing that the loser was potentially facing a withdrawal, an exciting ninth ensued.
Chisora lived up to his ‘War’ moniker by landing two venomous right jabs before a flurry of lefts saw Pulev firmly on his back. Blood was pouring from Pulev’s right eye, but the 10th ended with the older boxer taking a jab after the bell, which saw the Londoner respond in kind.
Fatigue appeared to set in during the penultimate round, but Chisora secured the 33rd win of his 15-year professional career with a beautiful straight right at the start of the final round and a brilliant combination to the body that was enough to clinch victory by two of the judges’ scores.
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