Kubrat Pulev vs. Dereck Chisora: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

Former champions Dereck Chisora and Kubrat Pulev go head-to-head for the vacant European heavyweight title in Hamburg, Germany, on Saturday.

Pulev (22-1, 12 KOs) previously held the belt in 2012, defending it once before relinquishing the gold to pursue a world-title shot.

Chisora (25-5, 17 KOs) claimed the vacated strap when he stopped Edmund Gerber in Sept. 2013.

Both heavyweights have an extra incentive to record a victory at the weekend. According to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, the winner will be moved up to No. 2 in the IBF's rankings.

When: Saturday, May 7, at 9 p.m. BST (4 p.m. ET)

Where: Barclaycard Arena, Hamburg, Germany

TV: Sky Sports (UK), SAT.1 (Germany), AWE (U.S.)

Live Stream: SkyGo (UK)

Press Attention

With Chisora, you never quite know what to expect. That is the case both in and out of the ring, as the heavyweight has never been afraid to cause trouble at a media event.

He has been up to his old tricks again in the buildup to the Pulev fight.

As the pair went head-to-head for photo opportunities at a press conference, Chisora decided to get physical. His promoters, Team Sauerland, tweeted a clip of the incident:

Chisora has history for this kind of thing.

He famously slapped Vitali Klitschko at the weigh-in before their fight in February 2012. Then, after losing to the WBC champion, he brawled with fellow Brit David Haye—who had been at the bout as a member of the media—at the post-fight press conference.

As for his fighting abilities in the ring, Chisora is a former holder of the British and Commonwealth belts, as well as the European strap he now looks to win for a second time.

The question mark over him is not about ability, but application.

He has always been durable, lasting a combined total of 22 rounds during two meetings with Tyson Fury, plus his record includes wins over Kevin Johnson and Malik Scott.

However, the 32-year-old's recent opponents have been of a somewhat questionable standard.

Inside the last year, Chisora has fought (in order): Beka Lobjanidze, Marcelo Luiz Nascimento, Peter Erdos, Jakov Gospic and Andras Csomor. 

Unlike that list of heavyweights, Pulev is a recognised name.

Chisora needs to show he still has the appetite for success in a bout that could define his future. A defeat would leave him struggling to stay afloat in a division that has been revitalised of late.

Stepping Stone

JOHN MACDOUGALL/Getty Images

Pulev views the European belt as a stepping stone towards another crack at becoming a world champion.

The Bulgarian fell short in his first attempt, losing badly to IBF holder Wladimir Klitschko in November 2014. He was knocked down four times in total, the last of them, from a Klitschko left hook, ending a one-sided contest in Round 5.

After the brutal loss, Pulev took time out before making a competitive comeback.

He fought twice in the closing months of 2015, beating George Arias on points in October before knocking out Maurice Harris in December.

Per George Gigney of Boxing News, Pulev acknowledges he cannot afford to slip up against Chisora if he wants to achieve his goal:

"

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 May 7 and Chisora. This is a fight I can’t afford to lose!

"

Pulev had success as an amateur, winning the gold medal in the super heavyweight division at the 2008 European Championships.

He turned pro the following year and knocked out Alexander Dimitrenko in 2012 to become European champion in the paid ranks, too.

Winning the title for a second time would be a belated birthday present for Pulev, who turned 35 on Wednesday.

Prediction

Per Odds Shark, Chisora is a 12-5 underdog. Del Boy won't be bothered by what the bookies say, nor will he be fazed by fighting on the road.

Pulev is the home fighter in Hamburg, having fought the majority of his pro career in Germany. He is also the bigger man, standing at 6'4.5" compared to Chisora at 6'1.5".

As well as size, Pulev also has solid skills from his amateur days. He fought fire with fire in his clash with Klitschko and ended up getting torched, but that is the only blot on his record.

If Chisora is in decent physical shape, he can at the very least take his rival into deep waters. However, no matter how long the fight lasts, Pulev will come out victorious.