Updated: Oct 25, 2018 10:39 pm
IBF Heavyweight Eliminator
This weekend the heavyweight division sees an IBF eliminator take place between Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev and Tyson’s cousin Hughie Fury. The winner will be in line for a shot at heavyweight golden boy Anthony Joshua’s title. With plenty of big title fights on the horizon this is a good chance to see what’s on offer below the reigning champions.
The Fighters
Pulev is heading into the twilight years of his career now. At thirty seven this could be his last chance to get another title shot as younger heavyweights start climbing the ranks. His only career defeat so far came during his one and only title shot, being on the end of a heavy knockout by Wladimir Klitschko. Pulev has already had a chance to face Joshua for the IBF title but unfortunately had to pull out due to injury.
At twenty four Hughie Fury is over a decade younger than his opponent, so has plenty of years to try and achieve his dream of a world title and division dominance with cousin Tyson if he falls at this stage. He does share a similar experience with Pulev, in that his only defeat to date was in a world title fight against then WBO champion Joseph Parker on points.
The Stats
Kubrat Pulev 26 Fights 25 Wins 13 By Knockout 1 Defeat
Hughie Fury 22 Fights 21 Wins 11 By Knockout 1 Defeat
The Prediction
Whether these two fighters could cause any problems with any of the current champions remains to be seen, they’ve both had title fights and both been outclassed on the world stage. I wouldn’t watch this expecting a classic but it will be good to get a glimpse of what is happening directly below the champion level. I think this fight will go the distance as neither is a huge puncher and I feel that Fury will just have the edge based on his speed and age.
Vacant IBF Middleweight Title
The International Boxing Federation is in the spotlight this weekend as The Miracle Man Daniel Jacobs faces off against The Technician Serhiy Derevianchenko for the vacant IBF middleweight title.
The belts previous holder Gennedy Golovkin was stripped of the title for not facing Derevianchenko in a mandatory defence. The future holder of this title will definitely have to face Golovkin as he seeks to regain the belt in his quest to hold every middleweight title on offer
The Fighters
Daniel Jacobs is hoping that this title shot will be third time lucky, having lost to Dmitry Piros for the vacant WBO title in 2010 and a points decision defeat against Middleweight king Gennedy Golovkin in March last year. Jacobs is a true man of steel having overcome a life threatening form of bone cancer to be in contention for another title opportunity.
Serhiy Derevianchenko is a hard hitting Ukrainian who isn’t afraid to trade punches with his opponent. He is yet to fight any one of note in the middleweight division but that doesn’t make him any less dangerous. He was the mandatory challenger for the IBF title so will be hoping that he can take this opportunity to propel himself to the world stage.
The Stats
Daniel Jacobs 36 Fights 34 Wins 29 By Knockout 2 Defeats
Serhiy Derevianchenko 12 Fights 12 Wins 10 By Knockout 0 Defeats
The Prediction
This could be a very exciting fight, as both have scored many a knockout victory. Derevianchenko looks like the bigger puncher but Jacobs has the experience of bigger fights which will make this an interesting one. I would have to go with Derevianchenko by stoppage for this fight. He looks a much more dangerous fighter and I feel he will be too much for Jacobs.
