David Haye produced an explosive fifth-round stoppage
of Dereck Chisora to win a thrilling grudge match that delivered
everything it promised.
The hostilities started in Munich five
months ago were ended by a stunning left hook that spelt the end of
Chisora's challenge at Upton Park.
Haye, who was being outmuscled
by his heavier opponent, was in trouble before he delivered the
decisive blow that sent his 28-year-old opponent to the canvas.
Chisora
beat the count but referee Luis Pabon waved the fight off once he was
dropped for a second time, a left hook doing the damage once again.
The
preceding action had been brutal in a fascinating contrast of styles,
Chisora bullying at close range while Haye wanted to keep the fight at
distance.
Chisora was first into the ring and was kept waiting
for several minutes by Haye, who clearly won the popularity contest with
the crowd.
The rain that began falling 15 minutes before the
main event failed to dampen the spirits of the 30,000 who had bought
tickets and generated a charged atmosphere.
Haye, who was conceding two and a half stones, started with ferocious intent as he fired a succession of vicious shots.
But he was caught twice by Chisora, first by a left hook and then a jab in an exciting first round.
Chisora
was clearly unfazed by his opponent's aggression as he stalked him
across the ring, although Haye caught him with a straight right.
Both
fighters continued to throw punches after the bell for the second round
had sounded, though Pabon was quick to separate them.
Pabon had
to intervene once more after the third once Chisora landed with a hard
left hook as the rivals had failed to hear the bell.
Chisora was dominating the close exchanges but Haye was more dangerous from range with both landing powerful shots.
At
one point in the fourth Chisora - who was being cheered on by Tim
Witherspoon at ringside - looked hurt but Haye failed to pile on the
pressure when he was on the corner.
In the fifth Chisora's
greater bulk appeared to be making the difference as he piled on the
pressure, only for Haye to intervene with the one-punch power that made
him such a threat.
The fight took place despite opposition from
the British Boxing Board of Control, whose refusal to sanction the
showdown was easily circumvented by having the anonymous Luxembourg
Boxing Federation license both fighters.
Strong moral objections
also existed given that Haye and Chisora were effectively profiting from
their disgraceful brawl in Munich five months ago.
For all the
condemnation, however, interest in the showdown was substantial with the
30,000 tickets sold surpassing the attendance for Lennox Lewis v Frank
Bruno in 1993.
Only a year ago the prospect of Haye clashing with
Chisora was unthinkable as the former WBA world heavyweight champion
prepared for a career-defining showdown with Wladimir Klitschko.
But
his popularity plummeted after a lamentable display with public opinion
further turning against him when he blamed the wide points defeat on a
broken little toe.
Frustrated in his pursuit of Wladimir's
brother Vitali, he instead settled for a pay-day against Chisora once
their fireworks in Munich had ignited interest in the fight.
It
clearly irritated Haye that he had to share a ring with someone he
considers vastly inferior, but Chisora's performance proved him wrong.
Five
months ago in Munich the rivals brawled at a press conference in scenes
that disgraced British boxing, but they hugged after sharing a
thrilling fight.
"Any damage that was done by our altercation in Munich is well and truly fixed now," Haye said.
"People said that was a black eye for boxing, well the bags have gone from boxing's eyes now.
"The crowd have gone home happy with a smile on their face. That's the bottom line.
"Whatever beef I had with Dereck before the fight is over now from my side and I hope it's vice versa.
"After sharing a ring with Dereck I have a new found respect for the man.
"I had respect for his boxing ability but I never believed he could be as good as he was tonight [Saturday]. He raised his game.
"He
said to me before the fight 'you'd better bring it' and I was 'yeah
right'. I'm glad I did because otherwise it would have gone pair-shaped.
"If I turned up in the same condition as I was for John Ruiz, there's a good chance I'd have lost the fight.
"When you get guys who are similar in size, are willing to put it on the line and throw massive shots, it only helps boxing
"I'm glad the event went as smoothly as it did. All of the negative press before the fight, everyone can eat their words now."
The
28-year-old, whose pressure style gave Haye problems, agreed their
dispute was over and pledged to honour their bet that the loser would
donate £20,000 from their purse to the charity of the winner's choice,
in this case the Afro-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.
"The beef is
over for me as well....now we can eat in the same restaurants and go in
the same clubs. After the fight we made up," Chisora said.
"It was a great fight and everything is done. Now I'm £20,000 down, but a bet is a bet.
"I enjoyed the fight, it was a great fight and both of us came to fight. I drew the short straw."
Frank Warren, Chisora's manager, agreed the reputation of boxing had been restored by events at Upton Park.
"Boxing has redeemed itself and there was respect shown by both boxers after the fight," he said.
"These guys are fighters and it was important to let them do what boxers do - sort their problems out in the ring.
"The atmosphere was fantastic, the crowd went home happy and this was a great night for British boxing."
