Joe Joyce v Derek Chisora: Live coverage from O2 Arena as heavyweights clash in Del Boy’s potential farewell to boxing – Eurosport

McCann’s discipline has been so good squeezing the distance for Baluta, who went to the floor but it was not ruled a knockdown. He also spat out his gumshield at one point. Together, signs he may be tiring.

McCann is warned for a punch after the break. He could have been deducted a point it was that late. Elsewhere it is the same story.

It is the same round over again at the moment. Baluta coming in trying wild, wide shots while McCann punches straight through the middle landing more.

McCann is keeping his posture while Baluta, unorthodox as always, is swinging wildly.

Baluta looks the cleaner puncher. Though McCann presses more most of his shots are hitting air or landing on gloves, but in the closing moment McCann landed a flush counter right hook.

A good first round with McCann pressing the fight at a great pace and pushing Baluta back but the Romanian is also landing and has reddied McCann’s cheek.

Last time these met the fight was a draw. Baluta (16-4-1, 3 KOs) went against the script when he held the British and Commonwealth champion McCann (15-0-1, 8 KOs) last time.

He takes the fight 79-73 and 78-74 (twice). The scorecard was a little generous but he pretty clearly won five rounds with a couple of other close ones.

Another Barajas round as he pressures the home fighter who could not keep dancing away from the Colombian and was too often trapped against the ropes.

With a little more class Barajas could have caused Barney-Smith even more problems here. He maybe took this round as well but is still probably needing a knockdown at least in the last.

He is still coming forward Barajas but he did not land anything until a couple of rights late in the round. For most of it, ‘Sugar Boy’ was the matador landing right hands and straight lefts.

Barney-Smith wrested back the momentum in that round, landing strong straight lefts which Barajas felt and even stopped his forward press.

Good round for Barajas. This is a test for Barney-Smith. Maybe he had a round off, but the Colombian has not given up like most of Barney-Smith’s opponents by this point in the contest. The away fighter landed with the power shots there.

Barajas’ nose is bleeding as Barney-Smith continues to land with good shots. Barney smith has a cut next to his eye after the earlier clash of heads.

A mature performance from Barney-Smith. He landed a nice straight left and a lead right hook, but the two clashed heads near the end of the round.

A good start from Barney-Smith, typified by a peach of a left hook to the body from his southpaw stance.

The Nightmare won 97-94 and 96-94 (twice). A little closer than Carl Frampton thought it would be certainly but the right winner.

Noakes kept pushing to the end, but never really looked like stopping Bassi who certainly deserved to see the final bell.

Noakes wants to push for a knockout but his tank is fairly near empty himself so cannot sustain attacks. Still, his round once more.

Noakes landing some paintful shots in close, hooks with either hand and uppercut making Bassi visibly wilt. Bassi is landing flush himself as Noakes swings a bit wildly but they are having little effect.

The best round of the fight for Noakes. Bassi is getting tired and is struggling to keep him off as much. He landed with a couple of strong right hands and Bassi has been left with a mark under his eye.

Another close round, many could be given each way, but you get the feeling – and our commentators support this – that most are going to Noakes.

A round with a similar pattern, I might give this one to Bassi. He landed with a good short right hand and matches Noakes’ jab.

A messy fight and to be quite honest, not looking forward to another six rounds of this. Noakes is winning through endeavour, if not quality. On punches landed, the two are close but the feel is Noakes is taking the rounds.

The referee warns both fighters as the heads comes close together. Noakes is starting to land some power shots. Bassi needs to start throwing his right hand to keep Noakes off.

Noakes throwing more but Bassi the more accurate. The best shot a short left from Noakes.

Not much action, but Noakes looking to push the fight and landed more jabs.

Sean Noakes (7-0, 4 KOs) fights Inder Bassi (12-1, 1 KO) for the vacant belt.

Not a hard one to call from the referee, giving the score 40-36 for the new Prince.

Hamed ends a dominant performance, winning every second of every round. He showcased his skills, but never really looked like hurting his opponent.

Velichkov very much in defensive mode and covering up very well. Hamed getting through with less and not looking like taking out his Bulgarian opponent.

Showing his full punching range. Right hooks to the body as well as right jabs, straight lefts and a lunging lead uppercut which does have a glimmer of the old Prince.

Naseem’s son, Aadam. is first in the ring. Not as flash as his father but completely dominant in the first round.

We will be with you all the way through to the big men step in the ring late this evening.

Joyce v Chisora will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage of the fight night starting at 18:15 BST.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

The fight can also be live streamed on discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

Joyce and Chisora will headline the event at London’s O2 Arena, with ring walks for the main event expected to be around 22:30 BST.

Joyce v Chisora also features an intriguing undercard, which includes a bout between Dennis McCann (15-0-1) and Ionut Baluta (16-4-1) for the vacant European super-bantamweight championship.

McCann and Baluta will face off again after their first meeting in August 2023 ended in a majority draw following an accidental head clash in the ninth round.

• Joe Joyce v Derek Chisora
• Dennis McCann v Ionut Baluta
• Ryan Garner v Archie Sharp
• Moses Itauna v Mariusz Wach
• Brandun Lee v TBA
• Raven Chapman v Yohana Sarabia
• Aadam Hamed v Georgi Velichkov
• Sean Noakes v Inder Bassi
• Royston Barney-Smith v Brian Barajas
• Umar Khan v Kaddour Hmiani
• Jermaine Dhliwayo v Engel Gomez