By Jim Dower: The heavyweight clash between contenders Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KO’s) and Kubrat Pulev (15-0, 7 KO’s) will be taking place on the undercard of WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck’s title defense against top challenger Ola Afolabi on May 5th at the Messehalle, Erfurt, Thuriengen, Germany. Dimitrenko and Pulev will be battling for the EBU heavyweight regional strap.

It’s an interesting fight if the winner can move beyond this level some day and eventually fight for a world title, but if this is the best that the winner can do then it’s hardly interesting. It seems like 29-year-old 6’7″ Ukrainian Dimitrenko has been handing around the top 10 in the world heavyweight rankings forever without getting a title shot. Dimitrenko had chance to set himself up for a fight against IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in July 2009, but was rather easily beaten by American heavyweight Eddie Chambers by a 12 round decision. Dimitrenko has won his last three fights since then but hasn’t exactly been the most active of heavyweight, having fought only once in 2010 and twice in 2011. As busy as Dimitrenko is, he might as well be a heavyweight champion because he’s about as active as one. You have to wonder why Dimitrenko isn’t busier because he should be fighting at least six times a year if not more so that he can get the highest ranking possible.

Pulev, 30, is big at 6’4 1/2″ but lacks good power. He’s just a fighter that likes to throw a lot of jabs and wear his opponents down by throwing a lot of right hands. Against a heavyweight with power, Pulev would be in deep, deep trouble. However, Dimitrenko doesn’t have the kind of power that would put a limited plodder like Pulev in trouble. However, the Klitschkos do and I’d suspect that Pulev would be knocked out fairly easily by either of the Klitschkos unless he’s got a good chin and can stand up to the big shots he’ll be getting hit with once he steps it up.