By James Slater: Alexander Dimitrenko and Kubrat Pulev are set to square off for the vacant European heavyweight belt in Germany in March, with former middleweight king Arthur Abraham co-headlining the bill against Piotr Wilczewski for the WBO European super-middleweight belt.
The once-beaten Dimitrenko had to give up the title due to injury, yet he now faces a chance to regain the property he never lost in the ring (Dimitrenko’s sole pro loss came at the hands of the currently injured Eddie Chambers). However, against the unbeaten Pulev, Dimitrenko will like have a very rough, tough night. Having the look of a 50-50 fight, this one, if it happens (and most sources think it will) could go either way.
Both men are big (Dimitrenko is bigger), both are physically very strong and neither guy is a massive one punch hitter. Add it all up, and a grueling distance fight between the two never-stopped heavies looks a good bet.
Dimitrenko has had more pro fights, yet Pulev, last seen making Michael Sprott retire on his stool after the 9th-round, had that great amateur career. Both men are ready for each other, of that I’m sure. Both men have dreams of becoming world champion – the winner of this one will be a big step closer to getting a shot at world glory.
I pick Pulev to win a decision in a fight that will definitely be rough, possibly even ugly at times.
As for the Abraham fight; we don’t know how much “King” Arthur has left. He won his comeback a few weeks back, but until the KO he had looked somewhat sloppy. Abraham put that down to rust, and he should have enough left to be able to stop Wilczewski late on in the fight.