Chisora’s trainer thinks Pulev could beat Wladimir

By Boxing News - 11/14/2014 - Comments

pulevBy Scott Gilfoid: Don Charles, the trainer for Dereck Chisora, believes that unbeaten #1 WBO Kubrut Pulev (20-0, 11 KOs) could pull off a huge upset this Saturday night when he gets in the ring against IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (62-3, 52 KOs) in their fight at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany.

Charles thinks the 6’4 ½” Pulev’s size, strength and intelligence will be keys to him beating the 6’6” Wladimir, who hasn’t lost a fight in a decade since his loss to Lamon Brewster in 2004. Charles points out that Pulev easily handled Alexander Ustimov several years ago in his 11th round knockout.

Charles figures that if Pulev was able to dominate a guy like Ustinov, then he could do the same thing to Wladimir unless he freezes under the pressure or gets tagged by one of Wladimir’s big shots early in the fight.

I’m not so sure that Pulev will be able to compete against Wladimir. I mean, just because Pulev jabbed his way to a stoppage win over an out of shape Ustinov several years ago doesn’t mean he’s going to be able to do the same thing with Wladimir. The problem that Pulev has is he’s going to have to deal with incoming for the first time in his career, and I’m not sure he’s going to be ready for the kind of fire power that Wladimir will be dishing out.

“Don’t be surprised if Pulev knocks Klitschko out this weekend,” Charles said to Skysports.com. “I wouldn’t be surprised because for me it’s a question of who lands their right hand first. Pulev is a very strong guy both mentally and physically and he’s unbeaten. He’s beaten some credible people and along the way he’s also disposed of Alexander Ustinov. The way Pulev beat him up like a baby tells me Wladimir will have his hands full on the night.”

Pulev mostly jabs, and he can’t punch his way out of a wet paper bag. The only way Pulev scores a knockout in this fight is if he can stand on the outside and jab all night long. For that to happen, Wladimir will have to volunteer not to throw any jabs or power punches back. If Wladimir chooses to unload on Pulev with his own jabs or power punches, then this fight will likely be very one-sided. Pulev is a decent European level heavyweight, but he’s clearly not at the same level as Wladimir or other top heavyweights like Deontay Wilder.



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