A massive left hook did the damage for ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ as Pulev was sent to the floor hard. He never looked like recovering as the referee completed his count.
Klitschko, 38, scored a 53rd career stoppage in the process of retaining his collection of belts. At the same time, inflicting a first defeat on Pulev to the delight of the crowd,
The formidable Ukrainian further strengthened his stranglehold on the top division in a quicker than expected fashion at the O2 World Arena.
He remains undefeated in over a decade.
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
In the build-up to the fight, predictions that Pulev would be the one to run Klitschko closer than recent challengers were bandied about.
Ultimately, Klitschko showed that he is streets ahead of even the best contenders of the offer.
The likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Deontay Wilder face a tough job if any of them are going to be able to topple Klitschko and take his crown in the New Year.
Furthermore, all three need more experience.
On the card, former European light-heavyweight champion Eduard Gutknecht, 32, overcame Christian Pawlak through eight rounds to score the first win since June 2013.
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