Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko was much higher and had no trouble defending his World Boxing Association champion belt for the seventh time by beating Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev, last Saturday in Germany.
Klitschko also defended his WBO and IBF heavyweight title after knocking out in the fifth round the undefeated Pulev, whom he had already sent to the canvas a couple of times in the first, and once again in the third round.
However, it was in the fifth round when referee Tony Weeks decreed the end of the fight, after Pulev received a combination from Ukrainian, and a left hand that sent him to the canvas at 2 minutes 11 seconds.
“It was difficult to land that left blow, since Pulev was keeping the distance, but in the end it worked,” said the Ukrainian after the match.
Klitschko has not been since 2004 and has a record of 63-3, 54 KO´s, while Pulev now has 20-1, 11 KO´s.
Klitschko has a total of 17 defenses of all his championship belts and goes after the record of Joe Louis, who made 25 successful title defenses of his title in the same division, the heavy.
Between his two periods as champion, the youngest of the Klitschko brothers adds 22 defenses. His first Crown conquered in 2000 when he won the WBO heavyweight title against Chris Byrd, and defended it five times before losing it by TKO 2 on March 8, 2003 with Corrie Sanders.