Comments Thread For: Photos: Klitschko, Pulev Go Face To Face in Hamburg

[Ulver]

For most of those I agree completely, what I don't agree with is the Mental strength and capacity to adapt. Both of those are some of the strongest sides of Pulev. Capacity to adapt is something Pulev has shown time and time again in fight after fight. This is the reason why he starts slow in a lot of his fights and why he's steamrolling his opponents by the end of the fights - this is a distinct feature of his fights - changing tactics and adapting to opponents styles. I believe Wlad is very capable in this department too, and would give this one a tie.

I don't believe mental strength goes to Wlad though, I think this is clearly one of the stronger attributes of Pulev and one of the weaker ones for Wlad.

Pulev's biggest strengths are his sterling amateur background, his ability to relax in the ring (I remember when 6'9" unbeaten monster Ustinov had him trapped in the corner, and Pulev turned and mugged for the cameras before making Ustinov quit), his excellent jab, and his very much improved body shots.

One has to remember that this is by FAR the most talented fighter Wlad has had to fight since David Haye. And Pulev won't be nursing a sore toe, you can bet on that.

Wlad didn't want this fight for a simple reason: unlike with Mormeck (ugh), Wach (haha), the nondescript Italian guy (Pianeta) and Leapai (tomato can), this is a fight he could lose, and therefore lose his chance to get all the titles in a fight with Stiverne.

Wlad will have to up his game in a way he hasn't had to to do for a couple of years now. He's been fighting bums and trying to talk them up (Mormeck as Tyson, ahahaha), but this time Pulev's record speaks for itself. He earned the shot with victories against Ustinov, Dimitrenko, Tony Thompson.

And Wlad's older now, so it might not be as easy to adjust to a higher class of fighter.

Not saying Wlad will lose: he is rightly the favorite, but anyone who totally discounts Pulev is in for a surprise. I have a feeling Pulev is going to impress a lot of people, win or lose.

[Ulver]

prob not nearly where he was right after the Brewster loss though -

Anyway good fight looking forward to it --

I forgot to add:

Body shots: Pulev (since Wlad doesn't throw any and Pulev works the body early and often)

[Jewish-Reptile]

...yes because HW champions who have dominated the division for a decade get real shook when they fight against guys not known for KO power. Especially ones unable to KO Tony "The Tiger..."

It is called sarcasm,you nitwit.

[M Bison]

For a caveman he's got a pretty hot chick. Maybe girls like cavemen.

Most girls like bad guys and I guess being a fighter would help that appeal.

[Someone88]

Really cool pics!

[PittyPat]

Pulev has one of the best jabs in the division right now. OK, it's not Holmes- or Lewis-level good, but for this era it's excellent - fast, strong, and able to keep bigger men at bay. It's his best weapon.

Come fight night I think we'll see a tentative fencing match (like in Froch-Groves II) with a lot jabs being swatted out of the way by both fighters, but hopefully not as bad as it was in Wladimir-Ibragimov (fortunately the southpaw issue is not present here).

[Ulver]

Pulev has one of the best jabs in the division right now. OK, it's not Holmes- or Lewis-level good, but for this era it's excellent - fast, strong, and able to keep bigger men at bay. It's his best weapon.

Come fight night I think we'll see a tentative fencing match (like in Froch-Groves II) with a lot jabs being swatted out of the way by both fighters, but hopefully not as bad as it was in Wladimir-Ibragimov (fortunately the southpaw issue is not present here).

Pulev will also likely go to the body frequently with power shots, which he has been doing with great success recently, something Wlad almost never does. Wlad will be doing his usual head-hunting. That will be one contrast in their styles. They both possess excellent jabs.

I'm not worried about this being a Sultan-Wlad type fight. Pulev is looking to win this. Ibragimov was merely looking to survive and then get out of the game with his paycheck. Which he promptly did.

Pulev has more ambitions in boxing than that. Far more.

[boxingbrain28]

Perhaps its just me but I don't see the hype with Pulev, yes he is a good boxer but so is Wladimir, he was an Olympic gold medalist. People are mentioning Pulevs jab, but Wlads jab is superior and hits like a right hand. I don't see Pulev causing an upset here, especially with his 11 knockouts.

[Boxing Goat]

Pulev will also likely go to the body frequently with power shots, which he has been doing with great success recently, something Wlad almost never does. Wlad will be doing his usual head-hunting. That will be one contrast in their styles. They both possess excellent jabs.

I'm not worried about this being a Sultan-Wlad type fight. Pulev is looking to win this. Ibragimov was merely looking to survive and then get out of the game with his paycheck. Which he promptly did.

Pulev has more ambitions in boxing than that. Far more.

No offense but the reason nobody is going to the body on Wlad is because they pay dearly for it.

I expect a chess match that turns into a technical advantage for Wlad winding up in his KO victory.

[Ulver]

No offense but the reason nobody is going to the body on Wlad is because they pay dearly for it.

I expect a chess match that turns into a technical advantage for Wlad winding up in his KO victory.

Nobody is going to the body on Wlad of late because their names have been Mormeck, Wach, Pianeta, Leapai....

Wlad hasn't faced anyone who even posed a minor challenge to him since he fought Haye way back in 2011. I suppose stubby-armed Povetkin has some talent, but he lacked the size and attitude to get much done. I mean, the guy got pounded out by Marco Huck, fer crissake.

Wlad is still bigger than Pulev but not by that much. And Pulev has shown he can handle men as big or bigger than Wlad.

Make no mistake, Wlad is not looking forward to this fight. He knows it won't be a cake walk like so many of his recent wins have been. He's gotten used to having it very easy lately. Leapai was the nadir of his opposition. There will be some rust that Pulev can exploit when Wlad suddenly has to step it up a few notches.