Tate vs. DeMoor — A Slugfest Nobody Really Wanted (But Everybody Watched)

In a card stacked with eyebrow‑raising bouts at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the night’s most talked‑about clash saw Andrew “Cobra” Tate step (back) into the ring for what was billed as his boxing debut — and what quickly turned into one of the strangest performances of the year.

Tate, the controversial kickboxer‑turned‑internet personality whose last official fight was five years ago, entered the Misfits heavyweight title fight against Chase DeMoor with all the showmanship imaginable and perhaps not enough preparation. DeMoor, meanwhile, came to fight. The Too Hot To Handle alum and Misfits champion was far from an orthodox pro pugilist, but he brought size and more sustained activity than what Tate offered on this night. In fact, by the third round he was completely gassed.

Round‑by‑Round: A Clinic in What Not to Do

Tate looked good in the first two rounds, but when Tate tasted canvas and emerged visibly bloodied, the narrative of this “epic comeback” shifted sharply into “disaster debut.” DeMoor, for all his faults, at least showed movement and aggression at this point, pressing forward and throwing in higher volume — even if the precision wasn’t world‑class.

Towards the end, the crowd, sold on spectacle, seemed to moan as much as cheer.

What Went Wrong?

There are a few unambiguous takeaways from this bout:

1. Ring Rust is Real
   Tate’s layoff from real competition — years removed from kickboxing and with minimal boxing seasoning — left him slow on entries and weak on defense.
2. Style Doesn’t Always Translate
   Kickboxing success doesn’t automatically beget boxing acumen. Footwork, timing, and head movement in the square‑to‑square world are a different language.
3. DeMoor Took the Fight Seriously
   He wasn’t world‑class by technical standards, but he showed better composure and cardio than Tate. That counts for a lot in a fight where neither man lit the world on fire.

The Verdict

Official scorecards weren’t the only thing lost — momentum, mystique, and maybe a little credibility did too. The first judge scored it equal at 57-57, but the other two scored De Moor as the winner on points at 58-56 and 58-56.

Our verdict: A bit embarrassing for everyone involved.