HBO Boxing After Dark begins early with a special presentation of a heavyweight title showdown when Wladimir Klitschko vs. Kubrat Pulev is seen Saturday, November 15th 4:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT), with an encore presentation later that day at midnight.
Reigning world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (62-3, 53 KOs), originally from Ukraine and now fighting primarily in Germany, puts his championship belts on the line against Kubrat Pulev (20-0, 11 KOs), from Sofia, Bulgaria, in a scheduled 12-round title bout from the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany. In his 19th appearance on HBO, the 38-year-old Klitschko will be seeking his 17th consecutive successful heavyweight title defense, which would rank as the third-most behind legendary heavyweight champs Joe Louis, who had 25, and Larry Holmes, with 20.
Pulev, 33, is undefeated as a pro following an amateur career in which he won several European tournaments and gold medals. In Aug. 2013, he defeated American Tony Thompson in a title elimination contest, paving the way to this showdown.
“Fight fans recognize the history, mystique and legacy of the heavyweight championship, and we are delighted to present the world’s premier heavyweight, Wladimir Klitsckho, live on HBO,” says Peter Nelson, vice president, HBO Sports Programming. “Wladimir represents all the great qualities that one embraces in sport. We are looking forward to televising his 17th world title defense live.”
Also that day, HBO Latino presents an exclusive doubleheader from San Antonio at 9:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT), when Gilberto Ramirez (29-0, 23 KOs) takes on Fulgencio Zuniga (27-9-1, 24 KOs) in a super middleweight bout and Oscar Valdez (13-0, 11 KOs) goes up against Alberto Garza (26-8-1, 21 KOs) in a middleweight contest.
