Kubrat Pulev, last seen winning the vacant European heavyweight title with a 12-round split decision over Dereck Chisora (the fight was not seen as that close in the opinion of nearly everyone apart from one official) will face Poland’s Mariusz Wach in his first defence, Novinite.com reports. The fight does not have a confirmed date yet, but is expected tp go ahead in either September or October, with the likely venue being Sofia, in Pulev’s hometown of Bulgaria.
Kubrat Pulev
Fury doesn’t think Chisora will beat Pulev, will root for him anyway
Dereck Chisora will likely earn himself a world title shot if he can defeat Kubrat Pulev in tomorrow’s European heavyweight title clash – possibly against IBF champ Anthony Joshua (Eddie Hearn says a victorious Chisora would be an option for Joshua). But can “Del Boy” become only the second man to defeat the tough, durable and experienced Pulev? One man who has his doubts is heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury.
Fury told Sky Sports he will be supporting Chisora, and that he may even go out to Hamburg to walk Chisora into the ring. Former bitter rivals – fighting twice, Fury wining both, the second fight by corner retirement stoppage – Fury now says he has “a little soft spot” for Chisora.
Video: Chisora – Pulev Weigh-In / Dereck Chisora runs rampage after being hit by a plastic bottle
(Video Credit: Team Sauerland) – Weigh-In Results from Hamburg, Germany
Kubrat Pulev: 113,0 kg / 249,1 lbs
Dereck Chisora 109,7 kg / 241,8 lbs
Vincent Feigenbutz: 75,0 kg / 165,3 lbs
Crispulo Javier Andino: 75,7 kg / 166,9 lbs
Kubrat Pulev and Dereck Chisora face off for the European heavyweight title
The fight will take place on May 7 at the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany. Both boxers have been European champions before and both are managed by Sauerland. They have one more thing in common – each has lost a title fight to a Klitschko brother. Chisora went 12 rounds with Vitali Klitschko while Pulev was stopped by Wladimir in the 5th.
The European title meant a lot in the past when there was only one world champion. The European champion automatically earned the right to challenge the world champion. With the division and multiplication of the world championship, the European championship lost its ground and digressed into a minor trophy with insignificant commercial value. There is still only one European title but unlike the amateurs, the pros care little about it.
Video: Pulev vs Chisora HEATED Press Conference
Pulev vs Chisora Live on AWE – This Saturday afternoon an intriguing and important heavyweight contest between former world title challenger’s Kubrat Pulev and Dereck Chisora has been added to the much anticipated telecast that will feature WBA Lightweight champion Anthony Crolla defending his title against hard punching Ismael Barroso that will be shown LIVE ON AWE–A Wealth of Entertainment.
Kubrat Pulev and Dereck Chisora to clash for vacated EBU heavyweight belt; Anthony Joshua still looking for April 9th foe
A very interesting and potentially exciting heavyweight match-up has been set, one that will contest the EBU title the unbeaten Robert Helenius has just vacated. Once-beaten Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev will meet experienced Brit Dereck Chisora at a date and venue still to be determined.
Helenius, fresh off a December win over Franz Rill – a points victory that saw him take the EBU title that had been stripped from Erkan Teper due to Teper failing a post-fight drugs test after his KO win over David Price – opted to vacate the European crown to concentrate on his world title ambitions. So, Pulev, 22-1(12) and two wins removed from his November 2014 stoppage loss to then world heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko, will face well-travelled Brit Chisora, 25-5(17) and four wins removed from his stoppage loss to reigning heavyweight boss Tyson Fury, in what should be a an entertaining battle.
Kubrat Pulev to Wladimir Klitschko: “Earn my respect!”
As with any loss, comes not only a period of denial, but also hope. Rarely does a fighter admit to losing because their opponent was simply better, throwing verbal jabs and suggestions at something other than their boxing ability that may have caused their loss.
Losing to Wladimir Klitschko has become a standard in the heavyweight division, as the towering Ukrainian champion has developed a style that has been working for him without a flaw. For Klitschko’s latest victim Kubrat Pulev, accepting his 5th round knockout loss is not something that he is willing to give in to.
It Was One Helluva Shot – Klitschko KOs Pulev
The Champ seems invincible, just too damn big and powerful for anyone in the division. He is aptly named Dr. Steelhammer. Many years ago he was bludgeoned, walloped and clobbered by three different opponents. Instead of those kayo losses destroying his confidence, and convincing him he was in the wrong profession, they banged, pounded and forged him and his nickname into one unassailable, indomitable force.
Wladimir Klitschko Defends His Titles with a 5th Round KO Over Brave Kubrat Pulev
The audience at the O2 arena was roaring with excitement and there was huge support for the challenger Kubrat Pulev who was a visitor at Klitschko’s home turf. The valiant Pulev jumped right at Wladimir from the opening bell and tried to brawl with him at close at middle range. Klitschko did not back down and after some wrestling and jostling for position he found “the frequency” and exploited a big opening in Pulev’s defense.
Pulev kept his right hand up but too far forward inviting Wladimir to throw left hooks. Klitschko was cautious at first watching out for traps but tested the opening, connected and put Pulev down with a left hook in the first round. “The Cobra” rose quickly and went forward again making the same mistake and Klitschko repeated the exercise with the left hook knocking Pulev down for the second time. Pulev beat the count again and fought back at the champion who tried to finish him in the first round but the challenger survived somehow.
Klitschko destroys Pulev in 5th round KO
Bulgarian challenger Kubrat Pulev (20-1, 11 KOs) proved to be too weak in the chin tonight in getting stopped in the 5th round by IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (63-3, 53 KOs) at the O2 Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
Pulev was knocked down four times in the fight from left hooks. He was down twice in the 1st, once in the 3rd and a final time in the 5th. Referee Tony Weeks stopped the fight at 2:11 of the 5th after Wladimir put Pulev down with a left hook to the head that put Pulev down on his back. The shot caused a huge swelling under Pulev’s right eye.