Chisora (right) has won 33 fights and lost 12 since turning pro in 2007.
Derek Chisora defeated Kubrat Pulev by split decision in a close heavyweight clash at London’s O2 Arena, ending a three-match losing streak.
The 38-year-old – an underdog heading into the fight – went toe-to-toe with Bulgaria’s Pulev, 41, with both going down throughout the contest.
One judge scored it 116-112 for Pulev and the other two scored it 116-112 and 116-114 for Chisora.
Chisora avenged his loss to Pulev by split decision in 2016.
“It was hard. I never pick easy fights, I love hard fights,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“You won’t be here for long, I need some hard fighting.”
Pulev suffered his third loss in 32 fights, having also lost world title fights to Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua.
Chisora closes the contents
It may not have been the most technical fight of all time, but Pulev-Chisora was a fight that saw two veteran heavyweights trade merciless blows for nearly the entire contest.
Chisora promised he would stick it to Pulev from the first bell and in front of a raucous crowd of 7,000 he immediately proved to be the aggressor, forcing his opponent to get on the back foot.
Pulev’s clinch prevented Chisora from finding an advantage in the first two rounds, but the Briton’s body work was particularly impressive.
Chisora charged forward with no regard for his own defense or safety, but Pulev began to find success with his jab and was landing the cleaner shots as his opponent lost momentum in rounds three through five.
It was a scrappy affair at times, with both fighters leading by the head, tangling on the inside and being warned by the referee several times in the middle rounds.
However, the match took off in the second half.
In the seventh round, Chisora unleashed his trademark left and overhand right. Not everything landed cleanly, but each wild swing spurred the crowd into action, with Pulev injured above his right eye.
Pulev’s right uppercut in the figure eight, backed up by a straight left, staggered and hurt Chisora. In the ninth, however, Pulev held on after the Briton came back fighting. Two huge rights and a cracking left landed on Pulev, who was still somehow on his feet.
Pulev landed just after the bell in the 10th round, Chisora countered with a jab of his own as the referee – not for the first time – intervened.
Both boxers perhaps felt the fight was still there to win in the final round and it was Chisora who landed the brighter punches.
“I am on my way”
Chisora’s story continues, but perhaps not for long.
He said: “I was hurt [by the uppercut in the eighth round]. I’m not going to stand here and say I’m not hurt. I had to regroup and close that door again.
“I’m excited because I’m about to go out, I’m not going to lie. But before I go out, I want to give you a show.”
Promoter Hearn described the clash with Pulev as a “must do” fight for his boxer.
Speaking after the fight, Hearn added: “People are talking about Chisora and saying ‘should he hang up the gloves’. He just beat a top 15, top 10 heavyweight in the world, so how can you criticize him?
“If he wins such fights against the standard of Kubrat Pulev, why not continue with the sport?”
Chisora’s three straight losses have come against quality opponents – pound-for-pound star Alexander Usyk, the current unified world champion, followed by back-to-back losses against former WBO champion Joseph Parker.
However, four losses in a row would be very damaging for any boxer, especially those at the end of their career.
But Chisora is not just a boxer; there is no suggestion that he would have retired even if he had lost.
Who’s next for Chisora?
A trilogy fight with rival Dillian Whyte – who lost to Tyson Fury in April – would appease boxing fans who want to see them meet again. The first fight was a heavyweight classic, which Briton White won. Chisora was leading on points in the rematch before being knocked out in the 11th round.
Former WBC champion Deontay Wilder has been talked about as a potential opponent for Chisora. The American has brutal one-punch power, but has shown his vulnerability in back-to-back losses to Fury.
A win over Chisora, who some might describe as a world title shot putter, will show us what Wilder has left in the tank.
Chisora was almost set to face Poland’s Adam Kownacki, but that fight fell through, with Pulev chosen as a replacement. On paper, Chisora and Kownacki are barnstormers, with two styles likely to establish themselves.
The country has “regular” WBA champion Daniel Dubois or challenger Joe Joyce. While a clash with Chisora will attract fans, there is little to gain for two fighters who are firmly focused on title fights.
“He doesn’t have much left, but even though he’s feeling good, motivated and satisfied in the ring and he’s fit and healthy, we’re going to keep rolling the dice,” Hearn said.
“He wants to go somewhere in the Middle East, he wants to spawn. There are really good fights for him.”
What Chisora does next remains to be seen, but once again fans were entertained.
From getting heated with his opponent at the press conference and being separated from security to wearing a Boris Johnson mask external link at the weigh-in, it’s been another strange fight week for Chisora.
He’s back to winning ways and there’s no sign of letting up.
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