Wladimir Klitschko Defeats Kubrat Pulev in 5th Round

Wladimir Klitschko (R) of Ukraine lands a punch against Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria in an IBF, WBO and WBA world heavyweight title match in Hamburg, Germany, 15 November 2014. Photo EPA/BGNES

Bulgarian boxer Kubrat Pulev got knocked down by Ukrainian heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in a long-waited match held late on Saturday, November 15.

Pulev fought hard despite falling down two times well in the first round, but failed to get back to his feet after a strong left punch which prevented him from making it through the fifth round eleven seconds before the end.

Both players showed resilience, with Klitschko saying after the match that his Bulgarian opponent had played well.

The Cobra (Pulev's nickname), for his part, said he would not surrender just for being knocked down, adding it did not matter that Klitschko had "had luck" while dabbing on his right cheek-bone left severely bruised.

He told NOVA TV he was "not satisfied" with himself, but was feeling great and was ready to "go on". In the Cobra's words, lack of experience (if compared to Klitschko) was a decisive factor.

This is the first ever defeat of Pulev as a professional boxer.

For Dr Steelhammer, as Klitschko is also known, the victory means he has defended his belts which Pulev had long demanded to challenge.

A huge Bulgarian crowd at the 02 Arena in Hamburg, Germany was shouting Pulev's name throughout the match.

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