He was running from the Whyte mandatory but he got lucky because Whyte got KOed. But had whyte won, fury would have possibly dropped the belt to avoid him. That's not what a real champion does. Also, a real champion would have fought more than 2 guys out of the current top 30 at heavyweight
Fury won the WBC title in February and was tied to a third Wilder match most of this year. The contract only expired (or not, if you belive team Wilder) AFTER Whyte was KO'd by Povetkin.
Let's be honest. Based on his age and the recent fights we have seen, Pulev is dogmeat. I wouldn't bet the stale and furry raisins I found under the couch on him winning. However, if he were to somehow roll back the years, then he'd have to absolutely dominate AJ with the jab first of all. Secondly he'd have to land something big fairly early, to make AJ wary of his power. I think his hope lies in outboxing Joshua down the stretch, showing grit if AJ lands something big and generally waiting for him to gas. And when he does gas, closing the show on AJ. A very slim chance.
I think Pulev will be Joshua's fifth best win behind Wlad, Ruiz, Povetkin and Parker. He would be Fury's third best win behind Wlad and Wilder and Wilder's second best win after Ortiz. Decent first defense of Joshua's second reign as the world champion I'd say.
So, you give Pulev a better chance of beating Joshua Saturday than you'd give Whyte? Think Pulev will stagger Joshua, too, like Whyte did?
Pulev is an old washed up plodder who was destroyed in his prime by an old Wlad. He has a very slim chance of scoring an upset. Joshua should destroy him, of course. Quickly, brutally. But Joshua's reliability is questionable, so there's that slim ray of hope for Pulev backers.
Ali had a better resume than Trevor Berbick. It's not about resume. It's about timing. Sam Peter and Wlad and even Dominick Guinn would look stellar on a resume if it was 2005. But it's about to be 2021. Seems like people on this thread would pick a lot of Joshua opponents over Pulev right now ... because Pulev is about to turn 40. Is this a defense to brag about, or are we looking at a "COVID Bubble Special" and Pulev is just going to put his gloves over his face and take a seat in a round or two?
Wilder and Joshua both defended against Breazeale. Think Pulev lasts longer than Breazeale did against Joshua? Are you saying this fight goes eight or nine rounds ... or longer?
Of course but luis ortiz himself was old when fighting wilder. I honsetly think their around the same level. Pulev took multiple murderous punches from klitschko and got back up and even had wlad staggering with a jab in the beginning. And keep in mind klitschko is definitely much better than wilder and isnt far behind in terms of power
Pulev got knocked out by Klitschko in 2014. Bermane Stiverne won the WBC heavyweight champion in 2014. Would Stiverne be good defense right now? He actually won a title in 2014, unlike Pulev. Tomasz Adamek was a top three contender in 2014. Would he be a good defense now? This fight will take place a few weeks before it turns 2021. Pulev lost rounds in his last fight to freaking Rydell Booker. Have you seen Rydell Booker fight? The Klitschko fight may as well have been a decade ago. Is this a GOOD FIGHT NOW? What chance do you give Pulev NOW?
No, Pulev is tailor made for Joshua. I doubt he'll even last 7 rounds. That doesn't make him worse than Breazeale though.
