On April 22, 2006, Wladimir Klitschko captured the IBF heavyweight title against the slick, but overmatched Chris Byrd. Eight years and sixteen title-defenses later, ‘Doctor Steelhammer’ will be back in the ring tomorrow against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.
Klitschko, who also picked up the WBA and WBO versions of the world heavyweight championship during his reign, will fight the 33-year old Bulgarian at the sold out O2 Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
Pulev had a very good amateur career, winning bronze at the World Championships in 2005 and gold at the European Championships in 2008. Pulev participated in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, but was surprisingly beaten in the first round by Oscar Rivas.
During his amateur career, the fighter that goes by the nickname ‘The Cobra’ repeatedly lost at major tournaments to two great amateurs. Both Roberto Cammarelle and Odliander Solis beat Pulev several times. Pulev does hold wins as an amateur over Vyacheslav Glazkov and Magomed Abdusalamov.
As a professional Pulev is perfect so far. After twenty fights he holds a record of twenty victories with eleven coming by way of knockout and no losses. During his road to a shot at the heavyweight championship of the world, Pulev defeated Alexander Dimitrenko, Alexander Ustinov and Tony Thompson decisively.
For a heavyweight, Pulev has surprisingly good foot movement and fast hands and is technically very sound. But he also has several flaws. He often holds his hands too low, he lacks power and he is relatively short for his weight class. Especially compared to his opponent tomorrow.
And while Pulev is arguably one of the best opponents that the champion will face during his career, those flaws play right into Klitschko’s hands. The undisputed heavyweight champion of the world likes to take advantage of the size difference, he often holds over his opponents, by using his sensational jab. And when his opponent manages to slip his jab and comes inside, he ties them up and starts leaning on his opponents.
As much as I want to believe that Pulev has a chance of upsetting the 38-year old Ukranian, I just don’t see it happening. Klitschko will use the same tactics as described above and will completely take away the offense of the Bulgarian.
And when he has managed to slow down his opponent, Klitschko will start teeing off on him with his jab and his powerful straight right. And eventually the chin of Pulev, which is pretty much untested so far in his professional career, will decide whether we will see a stoppage victory or a wide twelve round decision victory for Wladimir Klitschko.
On the undercard, prospect Robert Tlatlik (15-0, 10KO’s) will fight Bihes Barakat (20-1, 17KO’s) in a ten-round 140-pound fight.
The fight between Klitschko and Pulev will be shown live on television in more than 100 countries. In the United States, the fight will be broadcasted by HBO at 4:45PM EST.
