Hamburg, June 19th, 2014. IBF- and IBO-heavyweight champion as well as WBO- and WBA-superchampion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his titles on September 6th against the Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev. The fight against the official IBF mandatory will be taking place at the o2 World Hamburg, Germany.
Kubrat „The Cobra“ Pulev from Sofia is 33 years old and 1,94m tall. The current No 1 of the IBF ranking has an outstanding record: 20 wins, 11 by KOs and no losses. From 2011 on, Pulev was IBF International Champion and became European Heavyweight Champion in 2012/2013.
Last year, Pulev defeated the experienced American and former world championship contender Tony Thompson clearly on points. With this success in his pocket, the IBF announced him the official mandatory of the heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Therefore, the Bulgarian laid down his European championship title. Pulev has been an outstanding amateur already achieving the European championship.
Kubrat Pulev: „I will get the titles. I am ready to replace Wladimir Klitschko as the world champion. This fight is the highlight of my career. I will show the fans worldwide that Klitschko is no invincible machine and fulfill my dream. I have worked hard for this chance.“
For years Wladimir Klitschko has been the undisputed No 1 in the heavyweight division. Klitschko has won the gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. In his last fight up to date he defeated WBO mandatory Alex Leapai by KO in April 2014. The clash with Pulev will be Klitschko’s 26th Heavyweight World Championship fight. His professional record is currently 62 wins, with 53 KOs and only three defeats. Wladimir Klitschko has been world champion since 2006 and is therefore second to the legendary Joe Louis, the longest lasting champion in the history of heavyweight boxing.
Wladimir Klitschko: „Kubrat Pulev has an impressive record as an amateur and as well as professional. He has very good skills and I will definitely not underestimate him. I am looking forward boxing in Hamburg. Everybody knows I have a special relationship to this city and the atmosphere in the o2 World has always been unbelievable.”
Bernd Bönte, CEO of the Klitschko Management Group (KMG): „We are very happy to be able to organize the fifth boxing event in Hamburg. The KMG is seated in Hamburg and our cooperation with the o2-team has always been wonderful. The audience can expect a first class event in a fantastic arena.“
Tickets for the Heavyweight Championship of the World at o2 World Hamburg are available from the 25th of June, 2014 forward on www.eventim.de
