Klitschko sets new title defence date

Undisputed heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his three belts against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on November 15.

Boxer Wladimir Klitschko

Boxer Wladimir Klitschko will defend his IBF, WBA and WBO belts against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev. (AAP)

Undisputed heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his IBF, WBA and WBO belts against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on November 15, the Ukrainian said on Wednesday.

Klitschko had to pull out of the original September 6 date due to a biceps injury.

But now the eagerly-awaited clash will take place in Hamburg a couple of months later.

"I'm glad to announce November 15th for the new date of my fight against Kubrat Pulev in Hamburg.

"I hope to recover from my injury quickly to get back into training in a couple of weeks. Thanks a lot for your support. I'll keep you updated," said the 38-year-old, who has reigned for eight years.

Klitschko has 62 wins, with 52 knock-outs, from his 65 fights and was last beaten 10 years ago.

This will be his 26th world title fight having previously held the WBO title for two and a half years after beating American Chris Byrd by unanimous decision in October 2000 before losing the belt by second round technical knock-out (TKO) to South African Corrie Sanders in March 2003.

Klitschko claimed the IBF title, again off Byrd, by seventh round TKO in April 2006.

He added the WBO title by beating Russian Sultan Ibragimov by unanimous decision in February 2008 and then took the WBA crown off Britain's David Haye in July 2011, again by a unanimous decision.

The 1996 Atlanta Olympic super-heavyweight champion is on a 20-fight win streak.

Former world amateur bronze medallist Pulev is unbeaten in his 20-fight professional career that began in 2009.

He earnt the right to face Klitschko with an 11th round knock-out of Belarussian Alexander Ustinov in an IBF eliminator two years ago.

The only heavyweight title not held by Klitschko is the WBC belt in the hands of Haitian-born Canadian Bermane Stiverne, who won the vacant title left by the retirement of Vitali Klitschko, the older brother of the Ukrainian boxers, now embarking on a career in politics.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world