Kubrat Pulev to take on Alexander Dimitrenko for vacant European Heavyweight Title on May 5
A real heavyweight highlight is on the cards for the spectators at the Messehalle Erfurt on May 5. Not only will Marco Huck take on Ola Afolabi to defend his WBO Cruiserweight Title but there is also a bout for the vacant European Championship when heavyweights Kubrat Pulev (15-0, 7 KOs) and Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KOs) meet in the ring.
“This is a great chance for me,” said the 30-year-old Pulev, who is currently ranked inside the top 15 by the WBA, IBF and WBO. Since his professional debut back in September 2009, he is unbeaten and of course aiming to keep this record alive. Last October Pulev won the Heavyweight IBF-International Championship against the American Travis Walker in Ludwigsburg. He then defended his title only three months later in Offenburg against the Brit Michael Sprott. But competing for the European title is something very special for the Berlin-based heavyweight.
“I was European Champion as an amateur,” remembers the Bulgarian native. “Now I want the professional title. Dimitrenko is a very tough opponent, but I will give it my all in order to win the fight.”
Pulev’s coach, Otto Ramin, is also expecting an exciting and intense bout: “Alexander Dimitrenko took a long break from boxing. I am eager to see how strong he is and how he has dealt with his injury. But I am sure he will be well prepared. Therefore Kubrat can only win if he his fast enough and able to adapt. It is not easy to get past Dimitrenko’s long reach. But we have been focusing on Kubrat´s physic and athletics over the past few weeks, so I am very confident.”
Alexander Dimitrenko (currently number two of the WBO and number three of the WBC rankings) will also be optimistic himself. The 29-year-old used to be the European champion. After winning the IBF-Junior-World championships and Intercontinental Championship (IBF and WBO), he took on the Ukrainian Yaroslav Zavorotnyi back in 2010 and won the European belt. After successfully defending his title twice – in March 2011 against Albert Sosnowski and then again on September 24 against Michael Sprott – the German had to give up the European crown due to an injury. Now Dimitrenko, who has a new coach in the Brit Scott Welch, is aiming to get his “old” title back.
His personal take on the fight: “Every opponent is dangerous, especially in this division. So I cannot underestimate Pulev.”
