Kubrat Pulev Should Campaign For a Daniel Dubois Showdown
In his latest showdown, heavyweight fighter Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (31-3, 14 KOs) could have faced Regular WBA heavyweight world champion Manuel Charr. Now the #10 rated WBA contender should look in the direction of Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois (20-2, 19 KO’s).
Unfortunately for The Cobra, his shot at the secondary world title was dashed when Charr pulled out of their contest due to an injury. Instead, he cruised to a victory over Ihor Shevazutskyi by unanimous decision. So, with the latest conquest in his rearview mirror, the next natural question becomes: who is next?
Pulev has lost title shots against Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua. Capturing Charr’s lower belt to Oleksandr Usyk’s full WBA world title would have placed The Cobra in the perfect striking range of another title shot.
IT TAKES TWO
In many respects, this fight makes sense for both men. Dubois, now ranked #4 (IBF), #4 (WBA), #6 (WBC), and #7 (WBO), is just one fight removed from his second professional loss. First to Joe Joyce on November 28, 2020, and then unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on August 26, 2023. In each instance, Dynamite fizzled out and was stopped.
In his last outing, Dubois battered and punished Jarrell Miller en route to knockout. At the time of their collision, Miller, the many-times disgraced fighter, was nowhere near peak fighting condition.
Said to say, Pulev would make for a good elevation fight in regards to having a better-conditioned and consistently active opponent. The Cobra packs a punch and is a legitimately dangerous and respectable adversary. The Bulgarian gets the exposure that comes with facing and potentially beating Dubois.
BACKDOOR DEALS
Minus the inside track on the matter though, we’re relegated to educated guesses. On the outside looking in, this duel looks feasible and appetizing, but maybe not so much to the handlers and suits. So, let’s see what is next for Pulev and who he will challenge next.
