Thompson with 11 lb. weight advantage over Kubrat Pulev

By Boxing News - 08/23/2013 - Comments

Boxen, Wiegen in Schwerin, Kubrat Pulev, Thony Thomsen(Photo credit: Photo Wende) By Allan Fox: Tony Thompson (38-3, 26 KO’s) weighed in at a career high weight of 263.9 lbs. for his fight on Saturday night against undefeated heavyweight Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9 KO’s) at the Sport and Congress Center, Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

This is slightly more than the 262 lbs. that Thompson weighed in at for his first fight against David Price last February. The difference here is Thompson looks a lot more solid than he did for that fight, and his weight looks like mostly muscle this time.

For his part, Pulev weighed in at 252.9 lbs. This is slightly more than what Pulev normally weighs for his fights.

The fights were will be battling with a lot on the line for the winner. The winner will face IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko at some point in 2014.

There are a lot of questions with the Pulev-Thompson fight on Saturday night starting with whether Pulev can beat someone with good offensive skills that won’t roll over for him. Up until now, Pulev’s promoters have been very careful in matching him. Most of his opposition has been weaker fighters that are more in the journeyman class with a few fringe contenders mixed in.

There hasn’t been a truly good fighter in the ring with Pulev, and that’s what makes this fight so hard to predict. What do know is that Pulev showed no power in his biggest fights against Alexander Dimitrenko, Michael Sprott, Travis Walker and Alexander Ustinov.

Pulev showed a good jab, but when it came to throwing power shots with his left and right hand, he was badly lacking. Pulev seems to be well aware of his short comings in the power department, and that’s why he likes to keep the action on the outside where he can use his jab.

This fight will be a different one for Pulev if Thompson is able to get past his jab and land his power shots. Wladimir was unable to dominate Thompson was his jabs in either of his two fights. What got Wladimir through those fights was his powerful left hook and right hand. Pulev doesn’t have those weapons, and he’s weaker than Thompson in the power department. Thompson is also the better boxer and the more experienced fighter. Pulev might have to hope for some generous scores from the judges for him to win this fight, but it is a home fight for him so it’s possible.



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