LONDON: Zimbabwe-born British heavyweight Derek Chisora beat Kubrat Pulev on Saturday after a split decision to avenge his loss to the Bulgarian in 2016 and reignite his career after three straight defeats.
The 38-year-old veteran and former WBC title contender won 116-112, 116-114 and 112-116 on the three judges’ scorecards at London’s 02 Arena and in front of around 7,000 people.
The fight was for the vacant WBA International title, a belt that sounds impressive but is way below a world title.
The loss was the 41-year-old Pulev’s third in 32 professional fights, the other two coming in world heavyweight title fights against Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko and Britain’s Anthony Joshua.
Promoter Eddie Hearn saw more fights on the horizon for Chisora, who came into Saturday’s fight as an underdog in the twilight of his career.
“People talk about Chisora and say, ‘he should hang up the gloves.’ He just beat one of the top 15, top 10 heavyweight divisions in the world, so how can you criticize him?” Hearn said.
“If he wins fights like that against Kubrat Pulev’s standard, why doesn’t he continue in the sport?”