Klitschko-Pulev: BoxingScene.com Staff Predictions

By Jake Donovan

Once upon a time, the World heavyweight championship was considered the sport’s most prestigious crown. The fighter who possessed the title was, quite simply, the best fighter in the world and who commanded the most attention. 

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who would associate that statement with Wladimir Klitschko, whose fights are rarely competitive and often lacking sustained action. But there’s no question that he is the dominant heavyweight of his era, a concept that was floated when he turned pro following a Gold medal run for Ukraine in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Klitschko took the scenic route to get to that point, overcoming three embarrassing knockout losses to now enjoying a 20-fight unbeaten streak. Even at age 38 and through 65 career fights, the perfectly sculpted 6’6” heavyweight has shown no signs of slowing down. 

In the 10th defense of his lineal championship (and 17th consecutive defense of at least one alphabet belt), Klitschko once again takes on the leading contender to his throne, facing unbeaten Kubrat Pulev at O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany (Saturday, 4:45PM ET, HBO).

Pulev is regarded as the best heavyweight in the world not named Klitschko. The same rang true for Alexander Povetkin ahead of their clash a year ago, as well Ruslan Chagaev in 2009, and even Chris Byrd at the time of their April ’06 rematch, which launched Klitschko’s second alphabet title reign. 

Klitschko (62-3, 52KOs) is now in pursuit of the history books. His 16 consecutive defenses of at least one title is good for third all time, placing him behind all-time greats Larry Holmes and Joe Louis. While Louis was universally celebrated over the course of his historic reign – which lasted 11 years and through 25 successful title defenses – Holmes’ incredible run became more appreciated after the fact.

In that sense, it’s easy to suggest that Klitschko’s reign draws closer parallels to that of Holmes, as well as his predecessor Lennox Lewis. 

As far as challengers go, there’s no true blueprint on Pulev (20-0, 11KOs). The unbeaten contender from Bulgaria engages in his first major title fight, a moment for which he has waited more than a year – and even getting to that point was met with considerable delay and a lot of resistance from his divisional peers. 

Pulev emerged among the best heavyweights on the strength of a 2012 in-ring campaign that boasted consecutive 11th round knockout wins over Alexander Dimitrenko and Alexander Ustinov. The latter was part of a four-man box-off that was to determine the next mandatory challenger for Klitschko. 

The hardest part of the series for Pulev was finding a willing dance partner. Tomasz Adamek was part of the four-man tournament, but – following a controversial points win in his rematch with Steve Cunningham in the semi-finals – opted out of the final eliminator. Tyson Fury also passed on the opportunity when offered, leaving Pulev inactive for 11 months before landing a fight with – and soundly outpointing – perennial contender Tony Thompson to earn the title shot. 

That moment came 15 months ago. Pulev has spent his time with a pair of tune-up fights, neither one intended to present much of a challenge. Meanwhile, Klitschko was busy outpointing leading contender Povetkin – albeit in an ugly, foul-filled fight – and stopping Alex Leapai in the 5th round of his most recent defense this past April. 

Will Klitschko continue his march towards the history books? Or will Pulev find a way to shock the Ukrainian giant, and the boxing world?

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes Saturday’s World heavyweight championship action goes down in Hamburg, Germany. 

 

 

Ryan Burton (Klitschko Dec.): “This appears to be Wlad's biggest challenge in years. Pulev will be game but outclassed but I believe he will see the final bell.”

Jake Donovan (Klitschko Dec.): “I’d have been more inclined to pick an upset two years ago when Pulev entered his optimal prime and emerged as a leading contender. The unbeaten Bulgarian looked good enough against the likes of Alexander Dimitrenko and especially Alexander Ustinov to prompt contenders such as Tomasz Adamek and Tyson Fury to go in another direction rather than face him in a final eliminator. Still, a win over Tony Thompson and two weak tune-ups isn’t the best way to have spent the past two years. Klitschko won’t be able to bully Pulev but should bank enough rounds to win a comfortable decision.”

Keith Idec (Klitschko Dec.): “Those confident that Pulev can pull off an upset point to his back-to-back, 11th-round knockout wins against Alexander Dimitrenko and Alexander Ustinov in 2012. But about the only thing the 6-7 Dimitrenko and the 6-7 Ustinov have in common with the 6-6 Klitschko is that they’re taller than the 6-4 Pulev. Though athletic and probably better than anyone Klitschko has fought since he defeated David Haye three years ago, Pulev punches way too wide sometimes, which will leave him susceptible to Klitschko’s vaunted right hand. Once the unbeaten Pulev tastes a few of those, he’ll settle into survival mode.”

Steve Kim (Klitschko Dec): “Seeing is believing. ‘Till I see someone actually topple Klitschko, I won't believe it. Wladmir will do what Wladimir always does: just win one round after another on the strength of his jab”

John MacDonald (Klitschko TKO10): “Pulev's status as the best of the contenders has already been secured. Sadly for the challenger the physical advantages of the younger Klitschko brother will prove to be too much. Pulev will struggle to get past the jab of the champion and on the inside Klitschko will clinch, lean and spoil. ”

Andrew Patterson (Klitschko late TKO): “Pulev had an extensive amateur career and has boxed at some of the toughest international amateur tournaments on the circuit. Klitschko even at the age of 38 has still to show any evident signs of decline. I expect Pulev to have his usual slow start as Klitschko lines him up from distance with his long jab and pulverising right hand coming in behind it, though Klitschko may not have it all his own way. Pulev should have his successes but will eventually get broken down and stopped late.”

Cliff Rold (Klitschko Dec.): “Kubrat Pulev has enough talent and skill level to give Wladimir Klitschko a decent challenge but he’s ultimately a little too basic in his attack. Pulev’s lack of proven power decreases his upset chances.”

Francisco Salazar (Klitschko TKO11): “Incredible until now to see a technically poor fighter such Wladimir, hold 3 world title in a weight class that lost its luster since the Klitschko brothers emerged in the boxing scene. Wlad by UD in a boring and terrible fight.”

Reynaldo Sanchez (Klitschko Dec.): “Using his size and skills, Pulev will give a decent account of himself early. But his skills are nowhere near the pedigree of that of Klitschko's. The Ukrainian Klitschko will feel right at home in Hamburg, Germany and he will feed off of the crowd. With all the shenanigans Shannon Briggs has pulled up to Saturday, along with Pulev's claims he was disrespected during the promotion, look for Klitschko to put a hurting on Pulev, eventually dominating in the mid-rounds and stopping him late in the fight.”

Alexey Sukachev (Klitschko TKO9): “With all due respect to his present results and latest accomplishments, Kubrat is nothing sensational to be impressed with. He is a competent overall competitor but that is all. He also has zero natural gifts - he is neither big, nor a knockout artist. His technique is good but not fascinating; his defense is solid but he can be rocked. So, basically, he has also zero chances for the final success. His bout versus the Champion will look very much like Klitschko's fight against Ruslan Chagaev, and Wladimir will prevail in the closing rounds of the fight.”