Chisora secures thrilling split decision victory over Pulev, wants Wilder next

Derek Chisora secured a split decision victory following a slobber-knocker clash against Kubrat Pulev.

War’s victory ended a three-match losing streak in emphatic style, showing the sort of heart that will silence talk of a potential retirement, with the 38-year-old targeting Deontay Wilder as his next opponent.

While Pulev deserves huge credit for his display, it was the 38-year-old Chisora’s impact with clean body shots that made all the different on a classic night at the O2 Arena in London.

It was a bright start to round one for Chisora who was putting Pulev to work with a number of blows to his ribs. Chisora’s strategy was clear early on as he looked to frustrate his opponent and ensure that he wasn’t caught with a knockout blow.

Pulev was clearly frustrated based on the opening round, and moving into round two it was clear that the Bulgarian was looking to stamp his authority on the fight.

The Cobra came away victorious in their first fight in Hamburg back in 2016, meaning that Pulev knew that he had the opportunity to cause some problems if he could catch the Brit with his jab. However Chisora has made his name nullifying the threat of his opponent, and early suggestions showed that this would be the strategy once again.

Pulev did well to keep his composure, with Chisora keeping close and ensuring that the fight remained ugly throughout.

After three rounds, Chisora was attracting praise from his corner due to the pace a velocity of his performance so far, with Delboy looking superior during the opening rounds and leaving Pulev with a nasty cut on his head. However things started to turn during rounds four and five, with the fifth ending with Pulev in control and Chisora on the ropes.

War retreated somewhat in rounds six and seven, however in the closing stages of the seventh the 38-year-old came out of the blocks and caught Pulev with a number of overhand shots. Chisora was battered a bruised, but showed the sort of heart that has seen him enjoy a career of more than 15 years, subjecting Pulev to every bit as much pain as he was suffering.

Moving into the tenth and 11th round, there was very little to choose between the two, with all 12 rounds being fought with both fighters convinced that they’d done enough to secure the win.

However it was Chisora who reaped the rewards for a performance that was full of heart as he ended talk of retirement by putting a stop to his three-match losing run.

Speaking after the fight, he said: “I think I last won a fight three years ago.

“It was hard. Pulev’s a great fighter. I’m happy today. At the same time, I’m sad.

“I don’t have many left in me, but what I have, I’m gonna give it all to you guys.

“I don’t have many left. I don’t want easy fights.

“I told Eddie [Hearn] the other day, if you can get me the ‘Bronze Bomber’ [Deontay Wilder], I’ll be happy.”