Klitschko vs. Chisora: Round-by-Round Recap and What's Next for Each Fighter?

Vitali Klitschko (44-2, 40 KO) vs. Dereck Chisora (15-3, 10 KO) was a great fight this weekend filled with surprises. The greatest surprise of all turned out to be how great an effort Chisora was able to put up.

The British warrior took the fight to Klitschko every second of every round in what was a career-boosting performance.

Though the fight was won by the accurate, powerful right hand (surprise No. 2, his left shoulder was injured) of Klitschko, Chisora stole the show with his great chin and unwavering determination to win.

Here is a round-by-round recap of the results and a look into the future of both fighters. 

Klitschko-Chisora Rounds 1 Thru 3

Vitali Klitschko was immediately put on the bicycle in the first three rounds due to the Joe Frazier-like style of great head movement while bouncing and ducking coming forward.

Throwing one big punch at a time, though, proved to be his downfall early on the scorecards, as Klitschko pounded away with mostly his right hand, which was a surprise considering his left jab is his usual weapon of choice.

Score up to this point: Klitschko 30-27

Klitschko-Chisora Rounds 4 Thru 6

Dereck Chisora begins to dig more into Klitschko's body. Klitschko continues to compile evidence of Chisora's iron chin through punches that land like atom bombs, yet don't so much as wobble Chisora.

Chisora finally wins his first round on my scorecard with Round 6.

This was a close round, as was Round 4, but Chisora didn't land nearly enough to win Round 4 to me.

In Round 6, Chisora was able to put together a more consistent offense besides just following Klitschko around the ring and blocking punches with his face.

Klitschko also didn't adjust as well to the bodywork Chisora put together this round, so I had to give Chisora that one round. Klitschko handily won the first five with accurate, clean, powerful punching.

Score up to this point: Klitschko 59-55

Klitschko-Chisora Rounds 7 Thru 9

Vitali Klitschko decides to step up his output and even stand and trade in spots during Round 7.

In getting the better of the exchanges, Klitschko won the round.

Round 8 proved to be Chisora's best round.

Chisora delivers follow-ups to his body shots instead of relying on single shots to put Klitschko away. The shots prove effective in disturbing Klitschko's offense.

Klitschko proved sloppier and more reserved with his offense in the face of greater punching output from Chisora, something he could've used more of in previous rounds.

Round 9 showed a tiring Klitschko and a Chisora that was nearly winning the first two minutes until Klitschko turned it up in the last minute to steal the round on my scorecard.

Score up to this point: Klitschko 88-83

Klitschko-Chisora Rounds 10 Thru 12

Dereck Chisora continues the chase of Klitschko, landing a one-two in the process.

Klitschko clenches throughout the round, while Chisora just bangs to the body.

A trading war commences, and Chisora comes out on top, easily winning Round 10.

Klitschko dominates the next round with more activity and using his reach to keep a fistful of leather in Chisora's face to halt his progress.

In the final round, both fighters two-stepped together for most of the first minute before really engaging each other. Chisora smothered Klitschko, who clenched to stop the onslaught.

Chisora continues to fight aggressively while a ton of clenching and a lack of punching give Chisora the last round on my scorecard.

Scores at the end of the fight: Klitschko 116-112.

The official judges gave the fight scores of 118-110, 118-110 and 119-111. I don't agree, obviously, but 119-111 just isn't giving Chisora much credit at all. I feel he hands-down won at least two.

I can understand giving Chisora only two rounds, because most of the rounds were close with Klitschko using his experience, power and accuracy to clearly scrape out the decision round after round.

Chisora gave a great fight, and he could improve through time and maybe even defeat a Klitschko one day with a highly-tweaked and better-executed version of his game plan.

Dereck Chisora, David Haye and Post-Fight Mayhem

David Haye (25-2, 23 KO) engaged Dereck Chisora in a war of words during the post-fight press conference that resulted in one of the ugliest shows in recent boxing history.

Haye traded blows with Chisora and Chisora's trainer.

At one point, Haye threw a tripod.

Bottles were thrown, Haye exited.

Chisora threatened to shoot him. Wow! What a way to hype up a potential fight.

Obviously the brawl was not staged, but it would be nice to see these two men—both British superstars—make the most out of an ugly situation by facing each other in the ring to form a British blockbuster.

Klitschko or Chisora vs. Chris Arreola?

Chris Arreola (35-2, 30 KO) knocked out Eric Molina (18-2, 14 KO) in the first round of their fight this past weekend in Corpus Christi, TX.

Klitschko gave Arreola his first defeat in 2009—chalk it up to experience and conditioning.

Since then, Arreola has gained more experience and rededicated his life to boxing to improve his conditioning.

It may take a few more fights, but it looks like Arreola could be ready for another run at the heavyweight world title later this year. Arreola is probably the last great American hope.

Most American fighters are too green to do anything else but lose to the 40-year-old Klitschko. It would take years before they could even stand a chance. Arreola just needs dedication to give a good show.

What could be more interesting is a fight between Arreola and Chisora. That would be not only a potential fight-of-the-year candidate between the two iron-chinned warriors, but a good eliminator for Klitschko.

The winner between Chisora and Arreola would definitely be worthy of a rematch with Klitschko. The experience they gain will shape whoever the winner is into an improved Klitschko-killing machine. 

Chisora-Robert Helenius II or Will Klitschko Target the Finnish Fighter?

Dereck Chisora and Robert Helenius (17-0, 11 KO) engaged in a wonderful battle last year that was marred by a controversial split-decision victory awarded to Helenius.

Helenius could give Chisora a rematch, maybe this time in Chisora's home country of Britain since the last fight was in Finland, the home country of Helenius.

A much more profitable option for Helenius could be to chase Klitschko. Klitschko could be interested since Helenius did beat Chisora "on paper." Helenius is also nearly Klitschko's size, a rare feat.

Klitschko wouldn't have the same physical advantages he normally gets to hold over his opposition, posing the type of challenge many would love to see him face.

Though Klitschko-Helenius would be entertaining, the winner of Helenius-Chisora II would take away any doubt that they deserve the opportunity.

Klitschko or Chisora vs. the Undefeated Americans

Seth Mitchell (24-0-1, 18 KO), Deontay Wilder (20-0, 20 KO) and Malik Scott (33-0, 11 KO) all have three things in common, they're African American, undefeated and keeping active.

Scott posted a unanimous-decision victory this past weekend, his first fight in four years following a bicep injury.

Mitchell and Wilder have fights coming up. Assuming they win, are they ready for Klitschko?

Highly unlikely. A fight against Klitschko could be as far off as two years for these inexperienced fighters.

Are they ready for Chisora? Now you're talking.

Chisora would still be a hell of a step up from the competition these three are currently facing, so it's possible a fight with Chisora could wait until late this year.

Dereck Chisora-Tyson Fury II or Klitschko to Maim Another British Name

Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury fought once, with Fury winning a wide unanimous-decision victory.

Could Fury vs. Chisora II deliver a different result? Possibly.

Chisora could use the chance at redemption.

Another great question is whether Fury, who without a doubt outclassed Chisora, could bring his talents into a competitive fight with Klitschko.

Fury is one of the few opponents to be taller than a Klitschko.

Klitschko is 6'7" with an 80-inch reach. Fury is 6'9" with an 85-inch reach. Fury vs. Klitschko would present Klitschko in a dilemma of being the smaller man.

That fight has great potential—is Fury absolutely ready?

It's hard to say. Styles make fights. Beating Chisora is great, but he's much smaller and far less experienced than Klitschko.

It's hard to say how much preparation Fury needs, but he's a great candidate for either man.

Klitschko or Chisora vs. the Povetkin-Huck Winner

Alexander Povetkin (23-0, 16 KO) vs. Marco Huck (34-1, 24 KO) on Feb. 25 promises to match two of the brightest stars in boxing in a highly competitive match.

Each man will come out the better for it, win or lose.

Huck is the more experienced man, but he's a cruiserweight (200 lbs.) coming up to heavyweight.

Huck has faced the likes of Denis Lebedev (23-1, 17 KO) and the legendary Steve Cunningham (24-4, 12 KO).

The experience will help him, but how he adjusts to being a heavyweight will make all the difference.

Tomasz Adamek (44-2, 28 KO), a great cruiserweight and light heavyweight (175 lbs.) champ learned the hard way how tough it is to adjust to heavyweight fighting.

Chisora would be a far better match for the winner, but a lucrative Klitschko fight will be a hard thing to pass once offered. The winner would do well to gain experience before facing a Klitschko.

Klitschko vs. Chisora II?

Klitschko vs. Chisora II

Why not? Both men gave a great fight.

Chisora made nearly every round a close one, despite clearly losing the fight.

Klitschko asserted his dominance despite a left-arm injury.

Chisora could learn accuracy and to throw more combinations when he gets inside instead of those loaded single shots.

Klitschko could learn to stand his ground and defend properly so he can back Chisora up instead of the opposite.

Both men have a lot to learn from their first fight, and seeing who does their homework the best would make for an interesting rematch.