Kubrat Pulev vs Dereck Chisora: How to watch, preview, quotes, odds and prediction

Dereck Chisora's journey towards another shot at the heavyweight title sees him face the 35-year-old Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in Hamburg, Germany on Saturday night (7 May). The winner of the fight will claim the European title and move up to the number two ranking for the IBF title, which is currently held by Anthony Joshua.

How to watch

The Kubrat Pulev vs Dereck Chisora fight will be screened live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports 2 HD, with coverage starting at 19:30 BST.

Preview

Dereck Chisora's nomadic career in the professional ranks now takes him to the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany, to face fellow former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev, who only has one loss on his professional record, to Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. Since then, the Bulgarian has won back-to-back fights in Germany and the bout against Chisora is a good chance for Pulev to claim the vacant European belt and underline his credentials as a potential world champion.

Chisora, meanwhile, currently finds himself excluded from a money-spinning moment for British boxing, with Tyson Fury, David Haye and Joshua all set to receive eye-watering offers to face each other in the coming months. However, victory for the outspoken Brit could turn his career on its head and potentially set up what would be a much-hyped clash against Joshua.

What they have said

Kubrat Pulev: "Dereck is a good boxer, but I'm better, and I know I can beat him. I'm looking forward to the challenge and the chance to win back the European title. I'm sure the arena in Hamburg will be full of Bulgarians cheering me to victory.

"I know I have what it takes to be world champion, and next time I will be successful, but for now, all my focus is on 7 May and Chisora. This is a fight I can't afford to lose!"

Dereck Chisora: "Preparations have been going well, I've been sparring with some big guys over in Los Angeles and it's a good chance for me to get back on the ladder again. I've watched a lot of him -[Pulev] and it's going to be a very tough fight but it's one I'm going to win and that's it."

Records

Pulev: 23 fights, 22 wins (12 via knockout)

• (W)Maurice Harris - knockout - December 2015
• (W) George Arias - unanimous decision - October 2015
• (L) Wladimir Klitschko - knockout - November 2014

Chisora: 30 fights, 25 wins (17 via knockout)

• (W) Andras Csomor - technical knockout - January 2016
• (W) Jakov Gospic - technical knockout - December 2015
• (W) Peter Erdos - technical knockout - May 2015

Prediction

Pulev is the justifiable favourite going into the bout. The Bulgarian is the bigger man and only has one loss on his record, whereas Chisora has lost all of his most high-profile fights, suggesting he will never realise his dream of claiming a world title.

But the Brit will not be overawed by the situation, having fought the likes of Haye and Fury earlier in his career. Once again, though, he is likely to be over-matched against a world-class opponent with their eyes fixed firmly on world title glory.

Chisora could take the fight into the latter stages, having proven his durability through the course of his career. However, Pulev ought to emerge victorious, leaving Chisora back at square one in his bid for a heavyweight title.

Odds (via Betfair)

• Kubrat Pulev 1/3
• Dereck Chisora 12/5
• Draw 20/1