Derek Chisora v Kubrat Pulev preview: Heavyweight veterans settling old scores

On Saturday night the O2 Arena in London will play host to the heavyweight bout between old foes Derek ‘War’ Chisora and Bulgarian fighter Kubrat Pulev where Chisora will be hoping to avenge his loss in 2016.

Both fighters have the chance to renew their relevance in the division with a win on Saturday.

We preview the action below.

Chisora looking for a quick finish

Derek Chisora is in his 16th year as a professional heavyweight and looks to be coming to the end of a memorable career. ‘Del Boy’ is known for his significant power and if he is to win on Saturday, he will be looking to catch Pulev before the final bell.

Chisora has had 44 fights – 32 wins and 12 losses – in his career, which has spanned over 15 years. The British fighter has lost his last three contests and is once again the underdog at 19/10 to win on Saturday night.

23 of his 32 wins have come by way of knockout and that has earned him a reputation as one of the most powerful punchers in the division on his day, but his prime days appear to be past him now. If Chisora is to win it is most likely to be before the final bell and he is 4/1 to win by KO, TKO or DQ.

Chisora has won just nine of his fights by decision with five of these coming before the 2010’s. Now an older fighter it is unlikely that he will go the distance and is 6/1 to win by decision.

The former WBO Inter-Continental champion’s last two wins came in the fourth and second round. With an early win at the top of Chisora’s wish list the fight is 11/2 to last under 5.5 rounds.

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Pulev’s skill the difference

The Bulgarian has beaten his opponent before, winning the first fight between these two in 2016 by split decision. The split decision doesn’t tell the full story of the fight though, as Pulev seemingly controlled the fight with ease.

Pulev won his last fight after coming back from a loss to former WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champion Anthony Joshua. Pulev will look to put together back-to-back wins and is favourite to do so at 2/5 to defeat Chisora on Saturday night.

Pulev has a greater spread of wins than his opponent with 14 knockout victories and 14 wins by decision making him a more well-rounded fighter. Pulev also has one win by disqualification after Evgeny Orlov was ruled to have punched Pulev in the back of the head during their fight in 2010.

Pulev’s wide skill set will make him confident of taking the win by any means. At 11/10 a win by split decision is his most likely method of victory due to his elite boxing skill and Chisora’s reliance on knockout power and lack of stamina.

However, the Bulgarian still has the power to deliver a knockout blow to his opponent and is 2/1 to defeat Chisora by KO, TKO or DQ.

All of Pulev’s past five wins have gone past the halfway mark and with the fight at 1/6 to go over 6.5 rounds don’t be surprised if he looks to make Chisora work and take him the distance.

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