Wladimir Klitschko vs. Kubrat Pulev

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Kubrat Pulev Live Stream

The reigning heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko makes his 17th title defense against Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev on Saturday at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany.

Can the Bulgarian Pulev pose a threat to Dr. Steelhammer’s supremacy over the division, or will the colossal Ukrainian lay waste to the willing challenger like he has to so many before him?

Here’s what you need to know to prepare for this weekend’s clash of giants:

Kubrat Pulev (20-0, 11 KOs) earned his status as mandatory challenger to Wladimir Klitschko’s IBF heavyweight title by beating Tony Thompson in August of 2013. Since then Pulev has been eagerly awaiting his turn at Klitschko (and filling his time with stay-busy fights against lesser opponents) while the IBF, WBA, WBO, and RING champ fulfilled other mandatory title defenses.

Pulev’s patience was further tested when their originally scheduled September 6 match was delayed after Klitschko (62-3, 52 KOs) injured his biceps while sparring in preparation for the bout.

The fight was quickly rescheduled to November 15, but Pulev was never convinced the injury was genuine.

“It is complete nonsense,” Pulev said on Bulgarian television. “If it is a slight injury, you know what medicine can do today and he has a good staff of specialists, he would have been able to recover in time. If it is a serious injury he won’t recover before November 15.”

This would not be the first time 38 year-old Wladimir Klitschko has been accused of using such tactics, thanks to allegations that he faked a back injury in 2011 to avoid a title fight against Dereck Chisora.