Bulgaria's Pulev to Face Thompson in Final Title Eliminator

Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev celebrates after winning against German Alexander Dimitrenko for the EBU European heavyweight championship title, in Erfurt, Germany, 05 May 2012. EPA/BGNES

Bulgarian heavyweight boxing star Kubrat Pulev is about to face the toughest opponent in his professional career so far - experienced American Tony Thompson - on Saturday.

They square off in a final eliminator in Schwerin, Germany with the winner becoming a mandatory challenger for one of the belts held by Wladimir Klitschko.

Pulev is unbeaten in 17 fights with 9 knockouts. He won the title in May last year by knocking out Alexander Dimitrenko in eleven rounds and then knocked out Alexander Ustinov in September in eleven rounds in the first defence.

Thompson (38-3, 26 KOs), 41, of Washington, D.C., polished off Price via fifth-round knockout on July 6 for his second win against him this year.

“This is really huge for me,” Thompson said ahead of the clash, as cited by ESPN.

“That would be third time’s the charm [against Klitschko]. My confidence is running high after having stopped Price not once but twice this year. It was also good to see that my body is still able to compete at such a high level. This fight is going to be over inside eight rounds with me being the winner.”

Pulev is just as confident.

“I not only have to beat him, I must beat him,” he said. “It does not matter if I win on points or make it an early night. Afterwards, nobody can talk about a worthy world title challenger without using the name Kubrat Pulev.”

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