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
It’s time for the main event! Derek Chisora vs Kubrat Pulev 2.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Israil Madrimov vs Michel Soro ends as technical draw (0:05 of Round 3; cut to Soro after clash of heads).
The fighters speak to one another after another strange ending to a clash between them.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Madrimov vs Soro – Round 3
A clash of heads early in this third round has led to a nasty cut on the head of Soro. He’s streaming blood.
We may be looking at a technical draw or a No Contest, given fewer than four rounds have been completed. But let’s see.
“Let’s hope for a clearer, cleaner ending [than their first fight]!” Did we jinx it?
Maybe we did... The fight is waved off! Soro is deemed unable to continue.
A technical draw is the official result.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Madrimov vs Soro – Round 2
A right hand seems to trouble Soro! It’s early in the second round, can Soro weather this storm?
He retreats to the ropes, where Madrimov tries to pick the right shots to break down his opponent.
A right straight lands to the body for Madrimov. Now he targets the head. A left to the body sees Soro briefly hunch over...
A great round for Madrimov.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Madrimov vs Soro – Round 1
Madrimov is investing in body attacks early on, crouching to fire off jabs.
Soro tries to time a counter jab to the head. The fighters trade successful jabs simultaneously.
Madrimov gets in close and connects with a couple of uppercuts to the ribs of Soro, but he misses with the subsequent left hook.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Soro’s professional record is 35-3-1 (24 KOs); Madrimov’s is 8-0 (6 KOs).
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Next up is a rematch between super-welterweights Israil Madrimov and Michel Soro.
The pair’s first clash, in December, ended in controversy, when neither Madrimov nor the referee heard the bell at the end of Round 9...
Madrimov teed off on Soro and secured what the referee deemed a TKO victory, but an instant rematch was soon ordered.
For some reason, the result was not overturned to a No Contest.
Let’s hope for a clearer, cleaner ending here!
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Ramla Ali def. Agustina Maris Belen Rojas via decision (80-72).
A shutout for Ali, who remains unbeaten!
She embraces Rojas.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Ali vs Rojas – Round 8
Rojas comes forward in pursuit of a finish, which she probably needs in order to win here.
Ali stays composed, jabbing to the body of the Argentine.
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Ali vs Rojas – Round 7
Two rounds to go.
Ali looks to put together a combination to the head, but Rojas shells up.
Ali with prying, straight shots now, though, and eventually they start to get through the guard of Rojas!
“Ali” is the chant from the O2 Arena crowd! Rojas misses with a wide right hook.
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