Thompson v Pulev

Now understandably, this fight have received little coverage outside of the two camps (and I don't expect this thread to generate much more in the way of interest either) but Kubrat Pulev and Tony Thompson square up for an IBF HW Title eliminator in Germany this Saturday. The winner theoretically gets to face Wlad although I think we're all acutely aware that it's unlikely to happen.

Thing is, what is Thomspon putting his tea these days? It's not that long since he dispatched David Price (cynics may suggest he didn't have to exert that much in the way of energy) but here he is in with another well ranked opponent. At 41 years old, he's certainly got a spring in his step.

I find it refreshing that we have a guy willing to pack his bags and travel where the fights (and money) are for him with some degree of regularity and puts to shame many of the more established fighters who lace 'em once in a blue moon (or longer). Whilst there's little chance of him improving on his past performances against Wlad, I almost want him to win at the weekend as a reward for getting on the road like he has done of late.

Dave, genuine question why do you say them facing Wlad is unlikely to happen. Wlad has traditionally been very good towards facing his mandatories.

Pulev is a monster of a man. The way he walked through Ustinov and Dimitrenko was quite frightening.

I don't want to see Thompson fight Wlad again, as the result won't change. But I do want to see Thompson fighting the upstarts around like he is doing this year. It is a good way of sorting the wheat from the chaff so to speak. I think Thompson could easily win this weekend and if so, who can say he doesn't deserve another shot.

Was thinking about this fight the other day myself, Dave, and was also thinking that Wlad-Thompson III would be the hardest sell of any Heavyweight title fight in history! You just know that Wladimir ain't giving up that IBF belt, so unless 'The Tiger' is willing to take some step aside money, that fight would be on the cards if he beats Pulev.

To that end, I want Pulev to come through this, firstly because the thought of another possible fight between Wladimir and Thompson is unbearable, and secondly because it might actually give me some faith that these emerging Heavyweight contenders are actually worth their salt.

But as you say, it's hard not to like and root for a guy like Thomspon. Good, honest pro, fun personality, comes to fight. I'd still like to see him getting back in to that kind of c. 245 lb shape he was in a few years back, but on the wrong side of 40 I might be asking a bit too much now!

Not sure about which way this one will go at all, really. Pulev's power seems to be improving as he steps up in class, but he's still no knockout artist and Thompson, as we know, is a tough guy and a pretty crafty one, too. Thompson is actually the quicker man in this fight, too.

With all that in mind, Pulev's best shot might be just try and outlast Thompson in this fight, as Tony's weight for the two Price fights, as well as his age, mean that you'd have to question his ability right now to fight at a high pelt for twelve rounds.

I'll take Pulev by decision but I wouldn't be surprised at all if Thompson pulled off another shock. You just don't know with these Heavyweights these days!

If the fight goes beyond 6 rounds then I think Thompson is in trouble. He's old. He hasn't done 12 rounds for a long time. Pulev has.

So Thompson needs to stop Pulev before he runs out of gas. Just can't see that happening.

Rowley, I believe there's more money to be made in Wlad facing the winner of Haye and Fury .Whilst many will be adamant that the Haye result will be the same (and I wouldn't argue too strenuously about it) Haye's performance in any rematch couldn't possibly be as timid as last time round and should he obliterate Fury (fingers crossed) I'm sure they will be able to generate enough hype despite the efforts of the naysayers to pique Wlad's interest in a rematch over the likes of Pulev however deserving he may be of a title shot.

However, the big decider may be the WBC's decision to strip Vitali of his title and should either Haye or Fury (OK Haye) become WBC Champ, you know Wlad will fall over himself to get his hands on that belt.

Wlad is just TOO good for everyone unfortunately, but saying that, i commend Thompson for actually taking tough fights, travelling and genuinely looking good in doing so. Props to him for that.

I think you'll find that Wlad is ducking Fury, Price, and Wilder.

smashingstormcrow wrote:I think you'll find that Wlad is ducking Fury, Price, and Wilder.

Winchester, I've missed you!!

bhb001 wrote:

smashingstormcrow wrote:I think you'll find that Wlad is ducking Fury, Price, and Wilder.

Winchester, I've missed you!!

You wanna get that scoped zeroed properly then. I'm sure we'll chip in if it's proving costly!

smashingstormcrow wrote:I think you'll find that Wlad is ducking Fury, Price, and Wilder.

And Anthony Joshua, try and keep up.

These fights for the right to fight Wlad are more interesting than any potential Klitschko fight. The Klitschko's are still streets ahead in this poor era.

The fights between the wannabes are far more competative. It's the trouble in having such a dominant champion.

HAHA Winchester is back!

Hows things mate?

STC wrote:Pulev is a monster of a man. The way he walked through Ustinov and Dimitrenko was quite frightening.

his fight with ustinov was nowhere near a walk through, it was a close fight until pulev started to take over in the later rounds

STC wrote:Pulev is a monster of a man. The way he walked through Ustinov and Dimitrenko was quite frightening.

his fight with ustinov was nowhere near a walk through, it was a close fight until pulev started to take over in the later rounds

eddyfightfan wrote:

STC wrote:Pulev is a monster of a man. The way he walked through Ustinov and Dimitrenko was quite frightening.

his fight with ustinov was nowhere near a walk through, it was a close fight until pulev started to take over in the later rounds

But he did take over in the final rounds. So he eventually walked through a 6'8" 300lb man and stopped him, if you really want to argue over semantics.

I prefer Thompson, but would rather see Pulev win. I'm pretty sure of who would win out Pulev and Wlad, but I don't KNOW. We all know the result of Wlad v Thompson III.

In a post Thompson rematch interview Price said he thought Pulev would knock Tony out, having sparred Kubrat at some point. Kubrat late KO seems likely, and if it's in Germany I think Tony might need a KO.

I watched both the Ustinov and Dimitrenko fights but, to be honest, in my mind I can't differentiate between the two. They've blended together. It could be my age.

But I remember being impressed by Pulev in both fights. He's a bull of man.

John Bloody Wayne wrote:I prefer Thompson, but would rather see Pulev win. I'm pretty sure of who would win out Pulev and Wlad, but I don't KNOW. We all know the result of Wlad v Thompson III.

good point, i'd prefer thompson to win. he seems like a great bloke. we just won't learn anything from a Wlad III fight. although i'm not sure thompson believes he can win that fight anymore so don't think he'll be chasing.

To be honest Oasis, I don't think that we learnt much from Wlad v Thompson 2 either, perversly though I honestly think that a lot of people (me included) would be interested in Wlad v Haye 2- whatever you thought of toegate there is a nagging feeling that Haye could / should have done better, and if he delivers against Fury, we'll ignore the fact that Fury is absolutely rubbish and the next thing you know, you paid your fifteen quid and are trying to convince yourself that we're in for a HW equivalent of Haglar - Hearns.

horizontalhero wrote:To be honest Oasis, I don't think that we learnt much from Wlad v Thompson 2 either, perversly though I honestly think that a lot of people (me included) would be interested in Wlad v Haye 2- whatever you thought of toegate there is a nagging feeling that Haye could / should have done better, and if he delivers against Fury, we'll ignore the fact that Fury is absolutely rubbish and the next thing you know, you paid your fifteen quid and are trying to convince yourself that we're in for a HW equivalent of Haglar - Hearns.

See, when I say that I get lambasted for being a delusional fanboy?

I agree Haye should fight Wlad again but only this time stay within hittable range.

Strongback wrote:I agree Haye should fight Wlad again but only this time stay within hittable range.

What? Hittable range of Haye or Wlad?

Dave, without wanting to go over old ground, a fair few seem to let their dislike of Haye the personality cloud their judgement of Haye the boxer. When he is on song he is quality, and whilst it easy to pick holes in any fighters record, he beat Valeuv better than anyone else did, beat Ruiz way better than anyone else did,( accept for Tua) beat Chisora better than anyone else did. The only truly poor showing was against Wlad, and even that has been over exaggerated to some extent- it's not like Wlad had him in any real trouble. If he had thrown caution to the wind and had a proper go at Wlad he may not have won, but there's a chance that the fight could have turned out different. I'd like to see him have another go at Wlad, and if he stinks again, then more fool me, but I think he has more of a fighter heart than given credit for.

Thomspon is an overweight middle aged boxer. I dont even think he merits contender status as he wont contend with wlad if a 3rd fight comes off. It defies logic that a 3rd fight should come off, thompson was looking for an out in his 2 attempts. He doesnt have the tools to land anything other than a jab on wlads chin.
I dont dislike the guy but for the sake of the sport i hope pulev retires him.
Im ok with haye getting another shot at wlad if he beats fury decisively, hopefully the fight wont be in torrential rain. The only thing i have against haye getting another fight is that he wasnt active enough in fighting his way into contender status last time, and he's shown little interest in doing it for a 2nd challenge this time. By right he should be fighting pulev.

I don't think Haye should get another shot at Wlad. I couldn't listen to any more excuses.

 Don't stalk Haye then... Won't have to listen...

Hard not to hear him when he's crying on every terrestrial tv channel you turn on.

horizontalhero wrote:Dave, without wanting to go over old ground, a fair few seem to let their dislike of Haye the personality cloud their judgement of Haye the boxer. When he is on song he is quality, and whilst it easy to pick holes in any fighters record, he beat Valeuv better than anyone else did, beat Ruiz way better than anyone else did,( accept for Tua) beat Chisora better than anyone else did. The only truly poor showing was against Wlad, and even that has been over exaggerated to some extent- it's not like Wlad  had him in any real trouble. If he had thrown caution to the wind and had a proper go at Wlad he may not have won, but there's a chance that the fight could have turned out different. I'd like to see him have another go at Wlad, and if he stinks again, then more fool me, but I think he has more of a fighter heart than given credit for.

Why does everyone forget that Chagaev beat Valuev and looked fairly good in doing it too he even stayed in range and slipped, rolled and countered. Ruiz was Ancient. Chisora was an excellent win and the reason why he gets so much flak for the wlad fight is he spent the night running away. All wlad beat him with was his jab and a couple of right hands, like most of his opponents except most opponents are bloodied a battered trying desperately to get in a punch wheras haye was legging it and occasionally threw a right hand. I think he can do better than that and if he gets the chance then he should but that particular performance was an utter disgrace made worse by what went on before and after.

I don't think Haye should get another shot at Wlad based on beating two novices in Chisora and Fury (if haye wins).

The performance haye put up against wlad was so bad that haye needs to win 4 or 5 big fights before i get excited about a rematch between him and wlad.

I don't think Thompson actually stands much chance in this. I reckon it'll be all over by the 6th round.

Fight starting shortly...

it is on now

cheers Union.

TT took the first, looked relaxed. I still got Pulev taking this late.

TT dropping his hands in the second, as Pulev offered nothing in the first. Could be dangerous....

If you could score a round 0-0 then that would have been a 0-0.

Pulev getting into it now

4-1 to TT for me, though once Pulev lands that right properly it will be game over.

Whatever happens, Pulev isn't landing anything on Wlad.

Ok I've come into this at half-time (brother was round and he doesn't like boxing). What have I missed?

Getting dirty as Thompson gets all Ernie Terrel!

A bit turgid, Thompson took the first four then Pulev since then in my opinion.

Thompson started dictating at range, now he's trying to smother Pulev and maul apparently.

TT is knackered, it is getting very scrappy. Pulev UD, I'll go for 116-112.

Thompson's knackered. Will be over in the next few.

Ref's shocking! "When he holds your head just hit him!"

Headlocks are illegal.

Thompson looking tired here - would not be surprised if he gets stopped late.

Wasn't expecting a classic but this has been an absolute stinker.

Ropes are far too loose, I'll revise my prediction to TT retiring injured after ending up on John Rawling's table.