Heavy blows, flying punches, wobbly cheeks, and knockdowns—that’s how heavyweight fights usually go down. Fans are blessed with another such fight, as Kubrat Pulev will try to turn back the clock when he tries to mount a challenge for the world title next. Will he take inspiration from Mike Tyson and put on a show for the fans? Or will his body crumble down and again miss out on adding a gold strap to his waist?

The fans will finally witness Pulev challenge Mahmoud Charr for the WBA regular heavyweight championship on December 7. They had earlier booked for a date in March, but the champion had to withdraw because of an injury. But both fighters, at crossroads, are motivated to push for a bigger fight next and put their careers on the line. A win could land either a fight with the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury. Before that happens, let’s have a look at how they stack up against each other.

Kubrat Pulev vs. Mahmoud Charr: Tale of Tape

Pulev, 43, has been around for a while now. You must have seen the Bulgarian boxer put on shows and challenge the likes of Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for the titles. But he always found himself short of reaching the division’s hierarchy. Despite his solid fundamentals and a good jab, he suffered a few hiccups on the road. Yet he boasts of an incredible record of 31-3 with 14 KOs. What made him a tough fighter to put away was his discipline and technical prowess, unlike his peers, who relied on brute force and power.

You could have a look at the Sofia native’s KO ratio of 45.16%, which reflects his defensive approach to boxing. In addition, Pulev stands tall at 6’4″ (194 cm), which allows him to employ and double up the jabs to cause disruption. His reach of 79″ (202 cm) also aids him. But will the challenger be able to stick to his game plan?

Charr, 40, is the younger of the two but has more fights under his belt. The WBA champion is your typical gritty and aggressive fighter, who prefers to unload punches with power. You can expect him to come forward, apply pressure, and engage in inside exchanges. It’s never a boring fight whenever he steps into the ring, and he has an impressive boxing record of 34-4 with 20 KOs also to show up for. But it’s his KO ratio of 58.82% that makes him a threat inside the ring.

But the Dubai resident will carry a size and weight disadvantage into the fight. He has a height of 6’3″ (192 cm) and weighed 242½ lbs when he last stood on the scales, compared to Pulev’s 248½. Interestingly, his reach is not listed on the internet. Will his power and aggression make up for his disadvantage in size and weight?

Prediction: Who wins it?

It seems unlikely. Charr last fought a professional fight two years ago. While he is your high work rate, high volume, and durable fighter, he is crippling from ring rust. What’s more? His latest injury, which postponed their fight, didn’t help him either. Coming off a layoff and a recent injury puts him at a significant disadvantage. That’s not it. When you look deep into Charr’s resume, you will find that he never fought anyone of the prime heavyweights.

Whereas, Pulev built his career fighting A-listers, such as ‘AJ’. While he lacks one-punch KO power, his tactical mastery, precision, and experience make up for his power. You add into the mix his ring generalship and he will appear to be a more compelling option between the two. However, his lack of mobility could make him vulnerable to Charr’s heavy punches and inside fighting.

Not to mention that he is 43. Therefore, it’s a close fight to call. But we have Pulev finally winning his world title given his recent form, experience, stylistic matchup, and Charr’s ring rust. That doesn’t mean Charr can’t surprise us with his power and make a successful defense of his title.

What do you make of this coming fight between Kubrat Pulev and Mahmoud Charr? Who do you think will leave the arena with a win? Let us know in the comments below.