Gutsy Derek Chisora edges Kubrat Pulev over 12 grueling rounds

Derek Chisora did what he has always done throughout his 19-year career. He gave it his all. This time it was enough as Chisora edged Pulev by a split decision at a raucous O2 Arena in London, Eng, Saturday night. 

Scores were 116-112 Pulev, 116-112 Chisora, and 116-114 Chisora. The victory avenged a loss to Pulev six years ago. 

The loser of three fights in succession, Chisora,38, stalked Pulev in the opening stanza. He bobbed and weaved, stuck out jabs, and landed body shots. Pulev,41, looked uncomfortable with Chisora’s roughhousing. 

Pulev stepped back and fired right hands and jabs in round two.  Chisora bobbed and worked the midsection.

Pulev was more active, but Chisora more consistent. 

Round three saw Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) jolt Pulev with a stabbing left. Pulev caught a ducking Chisora with an uppercut. Pulev (29-3, 14 KOs) worked him over with combinations. Chisora fought back with more bodywork. He looked winded as the round ended. 

In round four, Chisora brought the heat with more belly work. Pulev clipped him with an uppercut as Chisora rumbled back. Pulev connected with three hard rights. Pulev continued his success from the last heat, scoring with rights in round five. 

Pulev was bleeding from a cut over his left eye. Chisora bounced a heavy jab off Pulev’s nose in round six. Pulev was throwing combinations. He ate a right but connected with a left hook. Chisora attacked the body. 

In round seven, Chisora got to work. Pulev was boxing. Chisora brawling.  Pulev was boxing. Chisora dug a left to the ribs. He connected with a heavy right. Pulev fought back but a left hook buckled his legs. Eyes blinking, he returned to his corner. Chisora targeted the eye in round eight. Pulev annoyed him with scoring jabs.

Seconds later, he let his hands go some more. Chisora jabbed and gulped air. 

Pulev fought back. An inside uppercut staggered Chisora. He found the energy to bounce off the ropes and land a hard right. 

The resilient Chisora opened round eight by landing two big right hooks. Pulev fired back – as did Chisora. Pulev forced Chisora into the ropes and let fly with shots. Chisora concentrated on the body.  

With three rounds left, who wanted the fight more?  

Chisora connected with an overhand right in round 10. Pulev, with blood dripping from cuts over both eyes, strafed the exhausted Chisora with blows. Chisora dug and unloaded punches. 

Chisora walked after Pulev with jabs in round 11. Pulev fired rights.   Chisora set himself and let fly with another right hook. It landed.

Pulev tried to catch the bobbing and weaving Chisora with blows. A number landed. Chisora jumped in with left hooks. 

Chisora landed a big right and worked inside in the 12th and final round. Pulev swatted Chisora with lefts and rights. Chisora thrilled his home crowd by landing another overhand right. Pulev cracked Chisora with hooks - while Chisora landed several thudding body shots.  

“I think I last won three years ago,” said Chisora with a smile.