Chisora and Pulev face-off for a second time at the O2 Arena

The always popular Derek Chisora (32-12-0, 23KOs) returns this Saturday night at London’s O2 Arena in a rematch with Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev (29-2-0, 14KOs), live on DAZN. The pair originally faced off back in 2016 in Hamburg, with Pulev edging a split-decision victory to claim the European heavyweight title.

London, UK: Derek Chisora and Kubrat Pulev Press Conference Ahead of their WBA International Heavyweight Title fight on saturday night at the O2 Arena. 7 July 2022 Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Fast-forward six years and both men find themselves on the periphery of the world heavyweight scene, with neither man close to another shot at the big men currently ruling the premier division. Chisora, despite suffering three defeats in a row to Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker (twice), has maintained his desire to keep fighting on despite loud suggestions that it is perhaps time to call it a day. Pulev meanwhile began the year appearing in a ‘Triad Combat Rules’ fight in a triangle shaped ‘ring’. An impressive victory did follow four months later for the Bulgarian though when he unanimously outpointed America’s Jerry Forrest over ten rounds.

Both Chisora and Pulev have been their typical animated selves across a fiery fight week which saw the men being pulled apart at Thursday’s press conference. Pulev reminded Chisora of the history between the pair, while the Finchley man repeatedly ordered the Bulgarian to ‘shut the f*** up’. More drama unfolded at Friday’s weigh-in which saw Chisora step onto the scales donning a Boris Johnson mask following the Prime Minister’s resignation earlier in the week, and the two again engaged in an intense stare down just a day before fight night.

London, UK: Israil Madrimov and Michel Soro Weigh In Ahead of their WBA Super Welterweight Title Eliminator tomorrow night at the O2 Arena. 8 July 2022 Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The chief support this weekend sees a rematch in the super-welterweight division between Israel Madrimov (8-0-0, 6KOs) and Michel Soro (35-3-1, 24KOs) following the controversial ending to their first bout at the end of last year. Madrimov stopped the thirty-four-year-old Soro in the ‘ninth’ of twelve scheduled rounds, but the crucial moments came long after the bell sounded to signal the end of the round, unbeknownst to the referee in Uzbekistan.

Middleweight Felix Cash (15-0-0, 10KOs) returns in a ten-round bout against Vaughn Alexander (17-6-1, 10KOs) as he continues his professional development towards world level. Missouri’s Alexander has notably shared a ring with high-profile prospects at 160lbs in recent years, including Bektemir Melikuziev, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly and Zach Parker. Heavyweight prospect Fabio Wardley (13-0-0, 12KOs) is also set to appear in a ten-round clash with Kingsley Ibeh (7-2-1, 6KOs) as a shot at the British title versus Nathan Gorman edges closer.

London, UK: Caoimhin Agyarko during fighter workouts in london today Ahead of his fight this weekend 6 July 2022 Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Further down the card, Caoimhin Agyarko (11-0-0, 7KOs) faces off against Lukasz Maciec (28-4-1, 5KOs) in a ten-round bout, while Ramla Ali (5-0-0, 1KO) returns at super-bantamweight versus Agustina Rojas (6-1-0). Featherweight prospect Yousuf Ibrahim (1-0-0) also appears versus Francisco Rodriguez (1-6-0, 1KO) and Solomon Dacres (3-0-0, 1KO) clashes with Kevin Espindola (7-4-0, 2KOs) at heavyweight.