European heavyweight champion and IBF #1 rated Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (17-0, 9 KOs) is just one step away from reaching his dream – a world title fight against champion Wladimir Klitschko.
The unbeaten Bulgarian must now jump over the last hurdle in front of him – American veteran Tony “The Tiger” Thompson (38-3, 26 KOs).
The IBF final eliminator will take place on August 24th in the German city of Schwerin. Pulev will defend his IBF international heavyweight title for the fourth time against the two-time world title challenger Thompson.
The unbeaten Bulgarian must now jump over the last hurdle in front of him – American veteran Tony “The Tiger” Thompson (38-3, 26 KOs).
The IBF final eliminator will take place on August 24th in the German city of Schwerin. Pulev will defend his IBF international heavyweight title for the fourth time against the two-time world title challenger Thompson.
“The only advantage Thompson has is his experience,” said Pulev. “Yeah, he’s 41, but there is nothing relaxing in that age. Just recently Thompson kayoed one of the best British talents in the heavyweight division in David Price. And he’s got qualities that brought him two world title fights.”
Pulev is currently in Germany where he trains with German coach Otto Ramin. He knows very well the qualities of Thompson’s most recent victim.
The Bulgarian sparred with David Price before his match against Alexander Dimitrenko last year and he’s aware of the caliber of fighter that would be capable of chopping down an opponent like the former Olympic Games medalist.
The Bulgarian sparred with David Price before his match against Alexander Dimitrenko last year and he’s aware of the caliber of fighter that would be capable of chopping down an opponent like the former Olympic Games medalist.
One of the current sparring partners of The Cobra will be Dimitar Stoimenov, son of Bulgarian heavyweight legend Petar Stoimenov who had two wins over Lennox Lewis in the amateurs.
“I will do sparring with a couple of southpaw heavyweights. We’ll use quality sparring partners to make the best preparation,” Pulev stated.
Pulev has been out of the ring for almost a year. In his last fight, he kayoed Alexander Ustinov to defend his EBU heavyweight belt, which will not be put on line against Thompson for obvious reasons.
Since then, a couple of top stars have refused to fight the Bulgarian for various reasons. Tomasz Adamek, Tyson Fury and Bryant Jennings had their own reasons for avoiding a meeting with ‘The Cobra.’
Since then, a couple of top stars have refused to fight the Bulgarian for various reasons. Tomasz Adamek, Tyson Fury and Bryant Jennings had their own reasons for avoiding a meeting with ‘The Cobra.’
“It’s not so nice to be inactive for such a long time, when I am at the top of my career,” commented Pulev. “When I entered in the core of the heavyweight division I understand a lot of things.
The most important is that everyone is trying to keep his ass safe and probably this is the reason that everyone avoided me. I waited for my chance and will prove my qualities to the boxing fans around the globe, which will bring me to a world title shot.”
The most important is that everyone is trying to keep his ass safe and probably this is the reason that everyone avoided me. I waited for my chance and will prove my qualities to the boxing fans around the globe, which will bring me to a world title shot.”
By Ognian Georgiev/Bulgaria Today daily newspaper
No comments:
Post a Comment