Pulev looks kind of a heavyhanded volume puncher. Not the dynamite-punch-type but strong in the long run. Think its a close one.
Pulev is mentally stronger, tougher and consistent but not spectacular. i expect him to grind mental midget golota down in the late rounds for the quit job.
That was definitely a weird one. Golota clearly broke down when he faced adversity like when he was dropped by Grant. But if an opponent couldn't put enough physical hurt on him like Byrd or Ruiz he could keep it together. Question is could Pulev drop him or hurt him enough to make Golota crack. If he couldn't then he loses on points, Golota is clearly superior in terms of skills and ability he just didn't have the heart to match the talent.
Yeh pulev although doesnt hit very hard or possesses much speed, has 250lbs behind him with a nasty stiff jab. He broke down ustinov with it, i think he break down golota.
Golota's jab is better and Pulev isn't much bigger than Golota. He's only half an inch taller and about 10lbs heavier and than extra weight he has is fat not muscle. I think Pulev is going to need more than the jab to make Golota crumble. Pulev does have a good right hand though, when it lands it lands solidly with some force but not sure he has the power to really hurt Golota like Grant did. But with Golota you never know even if he batters Pulev for every minute of every round he could just get himself DQ'ed for no apparent reason.
Pulev isn't even on John Ruiz level when Ruiz edged out Golota and Ruiz got a gift decision. Pulev has nothing to beat a prime Golota. Too slow, easy to hit, and feather fisted.
This is a very well thought-out heavyweight match-up, actually. There's a case to be made either way.
Yeah, best jab in heavyweight history-thread, gave some inspiration. Neither of these guys is the huge puncher, decent chins, they are more than roughly the same size, and both have great jabs of their own.
If Pulev's jab is stiff enough to pizza face a tough giant like Ustinov, he would make Golota cry like a little girl and cut his veins on the ring. Golota was nothing, only entertaining value. A circus freak. He had no skills, and little power. He also gassed easily. The bigger, longer and heavier Pulev would school him and very possibly crack his glass jaw or make him quit.
After watching some of their fights I feel that Pulevs jab is better than Golotas. Its sharper and nastier.