It’s the O2 Arena in London as the backdrop of a Matchroom Boxing promoted card this Saturday, and the old war horse, Derek Chisora takes on Kubrat Pulev in the main event over a scheduled twelve rounds at heavyweight in a rematch of their original 2016 meeting.
DAZN televise Chisora vs Pulev worldwide.
Chisora (32-12, 23 KOs) has been in last chance saloon territory for some considerable time now, but his ability to be competitive with the top names in the division means that he is still hanging around.
The Finchley native is winless in his last three fights, with his last victory a fourth round stoppage of David Price in 2019.
Chisora met Pulev way back in May 2016 in Germany for the vacant European title, but came up short as the Bulgarian took a split decision win.
Since that defeat, the 38-year-old has won and lost in almost equal measure, but his last three contests have gradually shown that he is clearly now a fighter in decline.
He gave Oleksandr Usyk a decent argument before going down on the cards in October 2020, and then dropped former WBO champion Joseph Parker, before losing on a split verdict in May last year.
A rematch was a natural, but this time Chisora looked more hittable than ever, and he was dropped three times and hurt on several more occasions, eventually surviving the distance and losing a decision.
Now 41, Pulev (29-2, 14 KOs) is probably the perfect opponent for ‘War’ to go in with.
The Sofia resident has only lost in world title class, to Wladimir Klitschko (TKO5) in 2014, and, more recently in December 2020, where he gave a decent account of himself before being halted in nine by Anthony Joshua.
His last assignment was in May, taking a wide points win against Jerry Forrest.
Prediction: Chisora can take a hell of a lot of punishment, but the Parker rematch exposed his fading punch resistance. I think he will once again be brave here, but will ultimately come up short on the cards once again.
Madrimov meets Soro again
Chief support comes from Uzbek talent Israil Madrimov, and the super welterweight goes into an immediate rematch against Michel Soro (35-3-1, 24 KOs).
Madrimov (8-0, 6 KOs) took a ninth round stoppage win in their original meeting, but the scores were tight at the conclusion and the stoppage was controversial, with the referee stopping the contest after Madrimov had landed shots after the bell.
View this post on Instagram
Prediction: I favour Madrimov to make the necessary adjustments to win even earlier this time around.
Cash clashes with Alexander
Felix Cash looks to extend his undefeated record when he takes on Vaughn Alexander over a scheduled ten rounds, with the vacant WBA International middleweight title at stake.
Cash (15-0, 10 KOs) struggled past Magomed Madiev last time out in February, eventually winning on the cards after being hurt and cut, but he should have little trouble against Alexander(17-6-1, 10 KOs), who was stopped in two by Zach Parker last March, but is on a run of two straight wins.
Prediction: Cash can win before halfway.
Wardley battles Ibeh
Fabio Wardley has a hastily arranged heavyweight contest with Kingsley Ibeh.
Wardley (13-0, 12 KOs) has won all of his contests bar one by knockout, while Ibeh (7-2-1, 6 KOs) has most recently lost to highly-touted American prospect, Jared Anderson by sixth and last round knockout, but has won his last two in Mexico.
Prediction: Wardley should deal with the American in the early rounds.
Remaining Undercard
Caoimhin Agyarko (11-0, 7 KOs) is one to watch, and the Irishman can take the vacant WBA International strap at super welterweight with a points win over ten against Lukasz Maciec (28-4-1, 5 KOs), who has never been halted.
Heavyweight prospect, Solomon Dacres (3-0, 1 KO) can score a knockout win in his encounter with Argentina’s Kevin Nicolas Espindola (7-4, 2 KOs).
View this post on Instagram
At super bantamweight, Ramla Ali (5-0, 1 KO) should take a win on the cards against Agustina Marisa Belen Rojas (6-1), and at featherweight, Yousuf Ibrahim (1-0) can do the same against Francisco Rodriguez (1-6, 1 KO).
