What is the general consensus around here on how this fight will turn out. Will Pulev be exposed like povetkin, he only has 20 fights, or will he use his same skill to beat th elarger tony thompson as to beat klitschko? I'm not sure how good pulev is, so I do not know if he can overcome klitschko. Of all the heavyweights around, only stirvine, wilder or fury would be possible contenders who could THEORETICALLY beat klitschko in my view from boxers I've seen. Pulev looks like he isn't going to be thin enough to run from Klitscko.
Pulev is a skilled, patient, solid all-around heavyweight who doesn't make many mistakes and can adjust during a fight. He's a legit world class talent and isn't easy at all to outbox over 12 rounds. Against Wlad, he's just outgunned. What he's the best at, Wlad does better. The disparity in punching power will be a big factor in this fight, as well.
If some bulgarian friend could translate this: http://www.dnes.bg/index/2014/07/21/kobrata-za-klichko-ne-mu-e-chista-rabotata-pritesniava-se.233018 "Personally, if I am world champion, I would give this test to clear my name. Klitschko gets away with excuses that the contract is signed otherwise." He also says he likes to be underestimated cause that motivates him more. And that he feels comfortable with bigger opponents.
Well everything is theoretically possible as long as it's within the theory. However, Stiverne and Fury don't have much of a realistic chance to defeat Klitschko, despite being high ranked contenders. I think that Stiverne would be one of the easier opponents for Wladimir, since he doesn't have the size, speed, not even the style to trouble Klitschko. Tyson Fury is obviously big and seems to be pretty clever inside the ring, but his skills are far from being enough to give Wladimir a very tough fight. He is also fairly easy to hit even against the opponents who are far from the contender level, which I see as his downfall against the champion. Wilder is still a question mark. He does have combination of style and size to give Klitschko troubles, but from what I've seen he lacks some basic assets that are required for his style, like a good jab, movement and distance control. I guess that Wilder vs. Stiverne will answer many questions about him. As for Pulev, I've explained my view regarding his fight against Klitschko in a good detail here.
1.Kubrat you are considered to be the outsider of this fight against the champion Klitschko . Do you believe it for yourself ? What do you answer to all these who say that maybe you are not the same class as the Ukranian ? *Kubrat Pulev: I don’t think I am an outsider in the tournament. I am happy when I am underestimated. This gives me more advantage and extra motivation. 2.When you first met in Hamburg you talked about extra drug testing to Klitschko . Why did you focus so much on this ? *Kubrat Pulev: I insisted on talking about that because this is an important matter. I believe that in sport rules must be equal to all in order to be fair and true. That’s why I want the same doping tests for Klitschko. I don’t find it fair that the contestant for the title to be tested anytime, anyplace and the world champion to be tested only after the game. Even kids know that whatever he took it could be cleaned for the game. If I was the world champion, I would get tested so I can clean my name and to prove to the people that I am absolutely natural and have nothing to hide. I think that this is the correct reaction of a true world champion and not to hide and manoeuvre around the matter which definitely proves that something is fishy and there are doubts. Klitschko makes excuses because his contract was signed differently. He can just prove everything and make a doping test on his own will. Not to mention on the Olympic games his brother Vitali Klitschko was caught with forbidden substances and was deprived of being a part of the games. On that matter things are pretty simple. He either goes through with the doping test like me and proves to that he really is the world champion or he doesn’t and proves that he is most likely taking forbidden stimulants which keep him on the top for the past years and not because he is the best. 3.What are your weapons that will make the differenece against an opponent with bigger size your opponent ? *Kubrat Pulev: I prefer larger opponents because they are more comfortable for me and I hope he is comfortable for me too. 4.How much this fight means for Kubrat Pulev ? *Kubrat Pulev : This tournament is for the world title which is my dream. I am preparing for it like any other one. 5.What do you believe for Klitschko as a person ? *Kubrat Pulev: I am not interested in him as a person. I am not into men and he most likely wouldn’t be my friend ever. To me he is just an opponent. I don’t hate anybody and I didn’t hate any of my former opponents. 6.What fans should wait from Kubrat Pulev ? Are you gonna be mentally and psysically to that point so you can show them and the world a Pulev that they never saw until now ? *Kubrat Pulev: Yes, for sure! With God’s help I feel excellent. My training process goes as planned and on September 6th I will be in top shape. I will be a boxing machine. 7.If I asked you a prediction , how you believe this fight will end ? *Kubrat Pulev: Boxing is a sport in which you can never predict something 100%. Chances are 50-50. The game is going to be really interesting and I will win it !