In front of a packed Boleyn Ground, in which 30,000 spectators attended, Dereck Chisora was the first to enter the ring, hooded and masked, to the theme from Gladiator. David Haye delayed his entrance, not beginning his approach until after his entry music, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”, had begun. The fight started slowly, with both boxers moving cautiously, though it was Haye who took the attacking initiative first.

The bout heated up at the end of the third round, when Chisora caught Haye with a fierce left hook after the bell had already gone, which appeared to shock Haye. Chisora emerged at the start of the fourth round with more confidence, aiming punches towards Haye’s chin. Towards the end of the fifth round, Haye connected with a series of punches, knocking Chisora to the floor.

At the eighth count, Chisora regained his feet, only for Haye to land further punches. Chisora was knocked down for a second time by a left hand from Haye, and though he regained his feet again, referee Luis Pabon stepped in and awarded the bout to Haye by TKO