PULEV RECOVERS FROM A NASTY CUT TO STOP DINU IN 7
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 24 Mar 2019
IBF No. 1 heavyweight contender Kubrat 'The Cobra' Pulev of Bulgaria recovers from a nasty cut above his left eye to stop a game Bogdan Dinu of Romania at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, CA Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) and remain on course to challenge British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Dinu connected a lethal right to the head of Pulev in the 4th round inflicting a nasty cut above the left eye of Pulev resulting in a lot of blood dripping to his face and splattered all over the ring. Pulev's cutman Eddie Hernandez was able to control the cut but it immediately opened up when the action continued in round five as Pulev, sensing that the fight could be stopped at any time, went for broke as Dinu slowed down. Pulev continued to push the pressure in the sixth badgering Dinu with a looping right to the head until finally, in the 7th round, Dinu gave in to the pressure and went down. Pulev however, connected with an extra punch behind the head as Dinu was already in the canvas, forcing veteran referee Raul Caiz Sr to pause the contest and deduct Pulev a point and gave enough time for Dinu to recover. When the action resumes, Pulev continued to press and sent Dinu to the canvas the second time. And when Dinu got up at the count of 10, Pulev wasted no time and put Dinu back again to the canvas for good. Time: 2:40 of the 7th round.
Pulev, who risked his No. 1 rating against Dinu, thus pulled a dramatic comeback and is now looking forward to challenge reigning IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in the near future.
Photos by Jhay Otamias.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: The WBC Continues the Fight for the Good of the Sport
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 20 Mar 2026AMMO: ADAMES FIGHT WILL BE EXPLOSIVE
Fri, 20 Mar 2026Carlos De Leon Training Camp Notes
Fri, 20 Mar 2026The Highly Anticipated Box Fan Expo Invitational 2026 Returns with A USA Boxing Amateur Show
Fri, 20 Mar 2026Placibe, Sales tops Sprint Challenge
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 20 Mar 2026Lester Martinez vs. Immanuwel Aleem Los Angeles Media Day Quotes
Thu, 19 Mar 2026MAPUA, PSKAI R-10 to play in Best of Best
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 19 Mar 2026IIEE Metro East dominates the 4th D’ Engineers’ Darts Cup 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 19 Mar 2026LIDDARD: WHY I'M RUNNING MATCHROOM HALF MARATHON AFTER TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST DENNY
Thu, 19 Mar 2026Press Conference Notes: DAZN and Top Rank Sign Multi-Year Rights Deal
Thu, 19 Mar 2026DAZN and Top Rank announce a landmark multi-year media rights deal bringing elite events and a storied archive to DAZN users worldwide
Thu, 19 Mar 2026Sampson Boxing Signs Top Junior Lightweight Contender Charly Suarez to a Promotional Contract
Thu, 19 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 MARCH 2026: Collazo Stops Haro; Fundora KO Ruiz; Barboza Outpoints Sims; Cacace UD Dickens
By Eric Armit, Wed, 18 Mar 2026Tapales Near Peak Form Ahead of April 3 Tokyo Showdown with Oguni
Wed, 18 Mar 2026MILLER AND PERO CLASH IN HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN LAS VEGAS ON APRIL 25
Wed, 18 Mar 2026