Russian Murat Gasiev knocks out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai and is the new world champion

Kubrat Pulev failed to defend the regular world title of the World Boxing Association (WBA) in heavyweight, sportal.bg reported. The Bulgarian lost by knockout in the sixth round to Murat Gasiev in a fight in Dubai.

Here's how the fight unfolded round by round:

Round 1: The two boxers stood in the center of the ring. The Bulgarian started first with straight punches with his forehand. The support in the hall for the Cobra increased with cheers of "Bulgarians, heroes!", and the native fighter won the round with a press and straight punches with both hands and a right hook to the body of Gasiev at the end of the round.

Round 2: The straight punches with the left hand of the Sofia native confused his opponent and Gasiev had serious difficulties in closing the distance. The 44-year-old Bulgarian also put into circulation the right hook to the head, which earned him this part in the judges' cards.

Round 3: This round also went under the dictation of Pulev, as the younger boxer against him managed to successfully close the distance only once and land a strong blow to the body of the Bulgarian. Despite this attack, Pulev was more assertive with his straight punches and right hooks.

Round 4: The round started with loud cheers of "Bulgarians, heroes!", and the graduate of the CSKA Sofia boxing school continued to dominate with straight punches. However, Gasiev stepped on the gas and began to close the distance more often. In the middle of the round, the fighter from Vladikavkaz landed two powerful hooks to Pulev's head, but the Bulgarian took them like a man.

Round 5: The Cobra started this punch explosively and shook his opponent with a left hook and a right straight through Gasiev's guard. 20 seconds later, however, the Russian "returned the favor" with a powerful right hook. The pace of the fight picked up, and Pulev finished more actively, landing strong right hands to his opponent's chin.

Round 6: A short left hook sent Pulev to the ground, and the Bulgarian fell to the ground. The referee ended the fight before the end of the count.

This was Pulev's first defense of this belt. He won the title a year ago in Sofia with a victory over Mahmud Char by unanimous decision. The defeat was Pulev's fourth in his professional career.