Wladimir Klitschko head and shoulders above Pulev

Wladimir Klitschko knocks down challenger Kubrat Pulev during Saturday nights title fight. Picture: Reuters

The IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion floored his opponent twice in the opening round and it looked like it could be a brief encounter in the opening stages.

Pulev was on the floor again in the third but, once again, got to his feet before a huge left hook from Klitschko in the fifth handed the Bulgarian his first defeat in 21 fights and Klitschko extended his record to 63-3 with the 53rd knockout of his career.

The 38-year-old Ukrainian hasn’t been beaten since a fifth-round defeat to Lamon Brewster on 10 April, 2004.

The fight had originally been scheduled for 6 September but was postponed after Klitschko hurt a left bicep in training. However, he showed no ill effects from that injury as he dominated his rival right from the start.

Pulev did test the champion with a stiff jab in the opening stages however Klitschko, taller with a longer reach, responded in brilliant fashion, flooring his opponent with a left hook to the chin.

The Bulgarian got up off the canvas, stuck out his tongue and stood on one leg to show he was alright to continue but, moments later he was down again, although it appeared to be a shove from Klitschko, and he rose again to make it through to the end of the round.

Klitschko had the better of the second round as Pulev kept his distance but the challenger appeared to have recovered before he was put down again in the third.

A right hand staggered Pulev and it was the left hook again that sent him to the canvas with the durable 33-year-old once more getting back to his feet with a cut below the left eye.

Pulev again appeared to recover and was trying to get inside in the fourth but he was not hurting Klitschko who appeared to be landing shots at will.

And the biggest of all came with 49 seconds remaining in the fifth as Klitschko landed the best left hook of the lot and Pulev was sent sprawling to the canvas for the fourth time, giving referee Tony Weeks no option but to end the bout.

Klitschko dedicated his latest victory to the Ukrainian people, “who are going through tough times” before speaking warmly of the Hamburg crowd.

“I made my professional debut here 18 years ago and I love this city,” a beaming Klitschko, who has his base in the northern German city, added after his victory.

“It was difficult to get that hook in. I kept trying but he managed to stay away. I tried it a few times and at the end it worked.

“To Pulev’s fans I want to say, you have to be sporting, Pulev fought a good fight. It was hard to work, the left jab. Pulev prepared well.”

Pulev, who dropped to 20-1 (11 KOs), said Klitschko was “lucky.” “Wladimir is a really good opponent, but he was lucky. I want a rematch. I’ll win the next time,” Pulev said.

“There’s luck in boxing. He’s a good boxer but he’s unsporting. There were a lot of tricks.”

Pulev was warned more than once by Weeks for punching to the back of Klitschko’s head.

“I feel good,” Pulev said, nursing an ice pack on his quickly swelling right cheek. “I am satisfied with my performance.

“Now I want revenge and it will be different result,” added the Bulgarian.