By James Slater: Competing in what will be his fourth outing of the year, unbeaten 30-year-old heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev will fight again on October 22nd. Set to fight on the under-card of the WBO cruiserweight title fight between Marco Huck and Rogelio Omar Rossi in Germany, Pulev is down on Boxrec as facing experienced U.S danger man Travis “Freight Train” Walker. At stake will be the vacant IBF international title.
Pulev of Bulgaria but based in Germany, is seen by some experts as the best up-and-coming heavy out there. Not especially exciting to watch, the 6’4,” approx 250-pounder is physically strong with a good chin. Just 13-0(6), the former amateur standout has already beaten recognisable names like Matt Skelton, Derric Rossy and Dominick Guinn – of these three, only the never-stopped Guinn took Pulev the distance.
Against 32-year-old Walker, 38-6-1(30), Pulev will be going in with his fifth U.S opponent. It could also be argued how “The Cobra,” as Pulev is known, will also be going in with the hardest-hitter of his pro career thus far. We all know Walker can bang. We also know he has been banged out himself a few times (five stoppage defeats in his six career losses). The Oct. 22nd fight is scheduled for 12-rounds, so there is a chance both men will have their chins tested in this one.
Walker – on a roll right now having won his last four since reverting back to a boxing style as opposed to a slugging approach – has fought in Germany before. In March of 2010 he was stopped in quite sensational style by former cruiserweight title challenger Johnathon Banks, and in November of last year Walker dropped a close 8-round decision to former WBA heavyweight boss Ruslan Chagaev.
Pulev has stopped just one of his last six opponents, and I think he’ll do well to halt a motivated Walker.
A distance fight is what I feel we will see (or maybe a late stoppage win by Pulev if he can wear down his man). An upset win by the always-game Walker looks unlikely. But these are heavyweights, so anything can happen.
If he does win, though, will Pulev at last decide to box in America? So far, Pulev has boxed in only Germany, Denmark and Belgium.