Kubrat Pulev is hoping to get a shot at either Wladimir
Klitschko or Alexander Povetkin after beating Tony Thompson on Saturday night
in Germany.
The Bulgarian defeated the 41-year old on points when a
unanimous decision went his favour. The judges scored the bout 116-112, 118-110
and 117-111.
The victory ensures Pulev still remains unbeaten so far in
his career after 18 professional fights and will now become the IBF’s mandatory
challenger. He could get meet the champion as early as next year in a bout that
is sure to excite fans who love to bet on boxing.
Thompson, who had stopped Britain’s David Price back in June,
is likely to miss out on another world championship fight following the defeat,
despite doing his reputation as one of the toughest fighters in the division no
harm.
It was the American who actually started the better of the
two boxers in the early rounds of the main event. However, Pulev stepped up his
work rate from the fifth round and was hitting his shots cleaner.
The majority of the fight was fought from close range which
meant neither man were able to strike a telling blow, making it tough for
punters who were keen to use their in-play bet offer.
There was a few warning signs for the Bulgarian in the
seventh round though, where Thompson landed a couple of solid shots onto his
chin, but he recovered well to regain control in the final few round of the
fight.
Earlier in the evening, Arthur Abraham picked up a points
victory over Willbeforce Shihepo. The former WBO super-middleweight champion
was beaten by Robert Stieglitz on his last outing, but the 33-year old was able
to bounce back with the win over the journeyman.
There was also success for Juergen Braehmer who defended his
European light-heavyweight belt. The German had to work but got the verdict by
the judges after 12 tough rounds against Stefano Abatangelo.
