When he was pulled out at the conclusion of ten woefully one-sided rounds in his rematch with Tyson Fury in November of 2014, Dereck Chisora cut something of a sad figure. Some people even thought “Del Boy” had had too many tough fights and was practically finished as a top contender. But, after finding a new promoter to back him (Sauerland) the 32-year-old warrior proceeded to reel off five straight wins (albeit against so-so opposition) and Chisora, 25-5(17) is now on the verge of a fight that just might see him recapture the European title.
And Chisora, who told Sky Sports he asked for the upcoming fight with the strong and dangerous Kubrat Pulev himself, is hoping a win over Pulev will get him closer to the one man he really wants to fight: WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder.
“I would like to fight Deontay Wilder, but I have to make myself mandatory for that title,” Chisora told Sky Sports. “I asked for the fight with Pulev to be honest with you. I didn’t duck and dive. I would like to fight Wilder because he’s a great name, he’s knocked out nearly all his opponents. I personally just want to fight Wilder.”
It would be some return to past glories if Chisora managed to become the second man (after Wladimir Klitschko) to defeat Pulev. And as to how amazing an achievement it would be if Chisora then found himself challenging Wilder, well, let’s not get too carried away. Still, the critics of Wilder, or at least the critics of the three men “The Bronze Bomber” has faced in defence of his green belt, would point out that Chisora is in possession of credentials either equal to or better than those of Eric Molina, Johann Duhaupas and Artur Szpilka; and they all gave decent accounts of themselves against Wilder.
But can Chisora beat Pulev, 22-1(12) and move a step closer to that dream shot at Wilder? Pulev has taken far less punishment than has Chisora and, should he have suffered no ill effects from his 5th-round stoppage loss to Klitschko, he could well prove to be too strong, too fresh (even though the Bulgarian is two years older than Chisora) and too determined to get his own second shot at the world.
The date and venue for Chisora-Pulev have yet to be announced, but the fight, wherever it takes place, looks a tough call for Chisora. But no fighter should ever count the Londoner out, least of all Pulev. And we all know this: Chisora would be prepared to give it his all if he did get a chance to test Wilder’s whiskers. That one, if it happened, would have “fun fight” written all over it; for as long as it lasted anyway.