IBF Orders Purse Bid For Pulev/Breazeale

IBF eliminator ordered for #2)Pulev & #6)Breazeale


While all the talk in the heavyweight division centers around the names Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder and Joshua’s upcoming unification bout with WBO champion Joseph Parker, the IBF ordered #2 Kubrat Pulev and #6 Dominic Breazeale to face one another in a final eliminator. The two sides have been unable to reach an agreement, so the IBF ordered a purse bid for April 10th.

Pulev (25-1, 13 KO), who is arguably a top 5 heavyweight, is 5-0 since his one-sided loss to Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. His last three wins have been against Dereck Chisora, an all but immobile Sam Peter and Kevin Johnson. Not exactly an eye-popping list of names.

Breazeale, (19-1, 17 KO), suffered his lone loss to Anthony Joshua, but has showed his heart and power with stoppages of Izu Ugonoh and Eric Molina. Breazeale’s name has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Wilder’s next fight as well. It’s unlikely a decision on the WBC champion’s next opponent will be made any time before the Pulev/Breazeale purse bid is ordered for.

Pulev has been the IBF mandatory and was signed to face Joshua in November but pulled out due to what his team cited as a strained pectoral muscle.

By: Chris Henderson