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
Ali vs Rojas – Round 6
Rojas backs up Ali against the ropes and fires off uppercuts and hooks with mixed success.
Ali circles away then walks Rojas onto a crisp one-two.
Rojas drops to a knee late in the round, but it’s ruled a slip!
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Ali vs Rojas – Round 5
We’re past the midway point of this contest.
Some reddening has appeared on the face of Rojas, with Ali landing with increasing frequency here.
She sees a jab blocked but slips a right straight through Rojas’ guard before evading a right hook.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Ali vs Rojas – Round 4
Rojas continues to try to turn this fight into a brawl.
Ali attempts to remain calm and pick her shots wisely.
A right hook gets through for Ali.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Ali vs Rojas – Round 3
The taller Ali is able to fight behind her jab before turning her shots into some fairly inventine combinations.
She connects with a firm left hook before rolling under Rojas’ punches.
These two-minute rounds fly by.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Ali vs Rojas – Round 2
Ali is backing up a little too easily now. She’s retreating upon forward movement from Rojas, who is not even needing jabs to push back Ali.
Now Rojas begins to mount some more significant offence, however, with untidy punches but ones that will score nonetheless.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Ali vs Rojas – Round 1
Having arrived in England as a refugee, Ali last year became the first Somalian boxer ever to compete at the Olympics. She is also Somalia’s first ever professional boxer.
It’s a fine start for Ali here, with the 32-year-old forcing back her opponent with jabs.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Ali is 5-0 with one knockout win, while Rojas is 6-1 without any KO victories.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Now we have a women’s featherweight bout between Ramla Ali and Agustina Maris Belen Rojas.
Ali is not only a boxer but also a model, author and racial equality activist.
Chisora vs Pulev 2
Caoimhin Agyarko def. Lukasz Maciec via unanimous decision (100-90, 100-90, 99-93).
Agyarko claims the vacant WBA International super-welterweight title!
A fine divisional debut from the Irishman, who would have wanted a stoppage but met a resilient Maciec.
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