BoxRec

I liked Pulev early on but he seems to be content on doing as little as possible. I think he has skill and toughness to beat Wladimir but falls short on the will appartment. He's got good delivery system as he has pretty fast feet and good footwork, exactly what you need to trouble Klitschko. If he can take Wladimirs power shots and stay focused then he can win.

Crease wrote:And so he undefeated challenger & top contender Kubrat Pulev will meet Wladimir Klitschsko for three of the World Titles.

But how much chance do you give Pulev of pulling off the big shock?

Pulev is a big man with skllls, good footwork, and is in his prime. Wlad is 38, with a pregnant fiance and getting married soon. Those are two X factors for Pulev.

I'm picking Wlad via 10 round TKO, but feel Pulev will have a moment or two that gets the anti Wlad fans excited.

fergusg wrote:Yeah, you're probably right. I knew he lived in the US.

And people say US HWs are a sad lot.

Be mighty interesting to see how Pulev approaches this one!

Maybe set a sharp/high tempo from the get-go, perhaps try to throw a few big, early bombs and hold the centre of the ring. Not really Kubrat's game and comes with some risks of receiving a Wlad pile-driver in return.....but doing something early to stop Wlad settling into his well-oiled boxing has got to be worth a go.

Pulev strikes me as the type of guy who will fancy his chances and who might have the confidence in his own abilities to go for it. Facing a bigger man who also owns a good jab and some footwork might make life difficult for Wlad.....it's been a while since he has faced a big unit who can also box.

I will still go for Wlad - he will be superbly prepared as usual - but if Pulev does chance his arm then it could be a decent fight.

Bodyshot3 wrote:Be mighty interesting to see how Pulev approaches this one!

Maybe set a sharp/high tempo from the get-go, perhaps try to throw a few big, early bombs and hold the centre of the ring. Not really Kubrat's game and comes with some risks of receiving a Wlad pile-driver in return.....but doing something early to stop Wlad settling into his well-oiled boxing has got to be worth a go.

Pulev strikes me as the type of guy who will fancy his chances and who might have the confidence in his own abilities to go for it. Facing a bigger man who also owns a good jab and some footwork might make life difficult for Wlad.....it's been a while since he has faced a big unit who can also box.

I will still go for Wlad - he will be superbly prepared as usual - but if Pulev does chance his arm then it could be a decent fight.

Do you mean bigger than Wlad or just bigger than usual?

I wonder if Wladimir Klitschko will alter his style slightly, by becoming more aggressive, because his bout against Pulev will be the first contest of a three-fight deal with HBO?

He's put so much time into developing and perfecting that style of his, he'd be an idiot to try and change up now.
Being 38 and in the twilight of his career, he's better off just concentrating on winning the rest of his fights, in my opinion. Its too late and there isn't any opinion-changer challenges out there for Wlad to really change people's opinions of him and his style.
If Wlad alters that nearly impregnable style of his to please those people who will never love him anyways, he deserves to lose. He's already got the HBO deal. No need to try and impress by tossing his successful style out the window.

Anyways, I figure Wlad sticks to what works for him and wins a boring decision or late stoppage.

Do you mean bigger than Wlad or just bigger than usual?

Sorry....badly expressed. Bigger than usual was indeed what I was looking for.

Pulev is interesting because he's a bigger man than some of Wlad's recent opponents whilst being far more competent than the colossal but basic/predictable Wach. He's got the happy medium of not being completely dwarfed and having some technique and skills as well. I am hopeful Kubrat will go for it and we get a decent fight.

Bodyshot3 wrote:

Do you mean bigger than Wlad or just bigger than usual?

Sorry....badly expressed. Bigger than usual was indeed what I was looking for.

Pulev is interesting because he's a bigger man than some of Wlad's recent opponents whilst being far more competent than the colossal but basic/predictable Wach. He's got the happy medium of not being completely dwarfed and having some technique and skills as well. I am hopeful Kubrat will go for it and we get a decent fight.

Yeah I think it's Wlad's toughest test on paper since Haye to be honest. Pulev is fairly quick on his feet for a big guy and has quick hands aswell. In some ways his style is pretty similar to Wlad's actually in that they both like to use their long jabs with the 1,2 following behind. I think Pulev is more aggressive and will take a few more risks but they're not that different in style. Pulev is probably a poor mans version of Wlad though in that regard and doesnt quite have the pop needed to probably really trouble Wladimir though. Time will tell. Im really intrigued by the matchup and think it will be competitive in parts and Wlad wont have it all his own way.

Yeah I think it's Wlad's toughest test on paper since Haye to be honest. Pulev is fairly quick on his feet for a big guy and has quick hands aswell. In some ways his style is pretty similar to Wlad's actually in that they both like to use their long jabs with the 1,2 following behind. I think Pulev is more aggressive and will take a few more risks but they're not that different in style. Pulev is probably a poor mans version of Wlad though in that regard and doesnt quite have the pop needed to probably really trouble Wladimir though. Time will tell. Im really intrigued by the matchup and think it will be competitive in parts and Wlad wont have it all his own way.

Yup Lefty, solid stuff.

What I hope to see is Pulev basically opting to go for it at some point.....he's the challenger, its in Hamburg where Wlad is adored and if it comes down to a fencing contest at distance between cultured jabs, then Wlad gets the nod.

Somehow, Kubrat has got to rock the boat without getting nailed himself. He's not blessed with a bazooka like Sanders, so it might well come down to Pulev being prepared to throw more often, set a testing pace and just bring some sustained and niggling pressure. Be interesting to see whether he is prepared/equipped to do this and how Wlad reacts.

Bodyshot3 wrote:

Yeah I think it's Wlad's toughest test on paper since Haye to be honest. Pulev is fairly quick on his feet for a big guy and has quick hands aswell. In some ways his style is pretty similar to Wlad's actually in that they both like to use their long jabs with the 1,2 following behind. I think Pulev is more aggressive and will take a few more risks but they're not that different in style. Pulev is probably a poor mans version of Wlad though in that regard and doesnt quite have the pop needed to probably really trouble Wladimir though. Time will tell. Im really intrigued by the matchup and think it will be competitive in parts and Wlad wont have it all his own way.

Yup Lefty, solid stuff.

What I hope to see is Pulev basically opting to go for it at some point.....he's the challenger, its in Hamburg where Wlad is adored and if it comes down to a fencing contest at distance between cultured jabs, then Wlad gets the nod.

Somehow, Kubrat has got to rock the boat without getting nailed himself. He's not blessed with a bazooka like Sanders, so it might well come down to Pulev being prepared to throw more often, set a testing pace and just bring some sustained and niggling pressure. Be interesting to see whether he is prepared/equipped to do this and how Wlad reacts.

Just been reading that Wladimir has been pulling some dirty tricks in the build up to this fight. First off, apparantly he's refused to engage in pre fight drug testing for this fight and will only be tested after the fight whilst Pulev has been tested 6 times in two months. Also apparantly Pulev is being forced to wear custom made gloves that are custom made to fit KLITSCHKO! He apparantly was given a pair to wear during the public workout and he left early because he complained about they were uncomfortable and too small and didnt fit his hands properly. On top of that, apparantly Wladimir is not allowing him to actually see the gloves he's going to have to wear tommorow night until earlier in the day.

I'm a wladimir fan and think he's a very good fighter but I think he's quite shady underneath that polished exterior he presents to the world.

My guess is Pulev will try to make hes usual style to work against Wlad. It will not. Wlad has more reach and better jab and will outgun Pulev in jab fight. Pulev will try to adjust but will not find way to make it work. In late rounds he will abandon that style and try to bring the fight closer to Wlad. At round 11 BAM Wlad will hit him with perfect left hook and finish it with thundering straight right. KO11

I really don't give Pulev any chance against Wlad. I was watching some of Pulev's fights to see how his jab compares to Wlad...and I noticed that Pulev lunges a bit. Against Wlad lunging out like that is a recipe for disaster.
I see Wlad winning with a KO (as in actually flattens Pulev) in round 10 at the latest.

I'll be watching the fight though :) And an upset win would break the division wide open.
But in the end I just don't think Pulev can pull off the upset.

Coldko wrote:

fergusg wrote:I wonder if Wladimir Klitschko will alter his style slightly, by becoming more aggressive, because his bout against Pulev will be the first contest of a three-fight deal with HBO?

It’s seems as though HBO are trying to exploit the talents of the current crop of gifted Eastern Europeans like Vasyl Lomachenko, Gennady Golovkin & Sergey Kovalev.

Some of the more casual American boxing observers may be unfamiliar with Klitschko, so they may be hoping to see another heavy-handed banger.

klits does not give poo about US fans, I don't understand what importance you think this has to wladimier !!

I bet it's a right wounder a, European being the HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP x

After seeing Pulev struggle with Thompson, a guy Wlad blew out, I have to say I don't give the Bulgarian much chance of pulling off a decision. But this is boxing and anything can happen. Wlad makes a mistake, leaves an opening, Pulev capitalizes on it with a wild punch that connects....If Pulev does manage to hurt Klitschko, can he finish the job?

Yes Pulev has the chance of a lifetime, but when he is alone in the ring eating jabs all night he'll either go out on his sword or just survive like the rest of them do.

Cap wrote:After seeing Pulev struggle with Thompson, a guy Wlad blew out, I have to say I don't give the Bulgarian much chance of pulling off a decision. But this is boxing and anything can happen. Wlad makes a mistake, leaves an opening, Pulev capitalizes on it with a wild punch that connects....If Pulev does manage to hurt Klitschko, can he finish the job?

I dont think he particularily did struggle. I had him losing the first 3 rounds but then won every round after that I thought.

I hope you guys are watching (or recording)...it's just about time for the opening bell :)

I can't believe Klitschko didn't finish Pulev after two KDs.

Klitschko doesn't even do "hit and clinch". Quite often, he initiates clinching without even throwing anything. Such a huge talent who doesn't care about viewers at all.

ikorolev wrote:I can't believe Klitschko didn't finish Pulev after two KDs.

Round by round ????

Pulev sucks....i can't believe people have this dude right behind Wlad.

Pulev seemed to stun Klitschko out of the gate.. and it's great he's not taking the holding BS... but he's getting worn out.

Haha, at all people saying: "...the best opponent for Wlad since years"

Pulev winning the 4th.. IMO

JCS wrote:Pulev winning the 4th.. IMO

Whats your score?