Wladimir Klitschko: Kubrat Pulev is a fantastic boxer, he seemed unbeatable

Olympic champion from Atlanta 1996 and two-time heavyweight boxing world champion, Wladimir Klitschko, was today's "Guest of Sportal.bg".

Wladimir Klitschko is in Bulgaria in connection with the upcoming European Men's and Women's Boxing Championship. The championship will take place at "Asics Arena" from September 15 to 26.

Yesterday, one of the greatest boxing legends globally was welcomed at Sofia's "Vasil Levski" Airport by the President of the Bulgarian Boxing Federation, Krasimir Ininski. Klitschko is in Sofia at Ininski's invitation and also met with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Encho Keryazov, yesterday.

The legend is an Olympic champion from Atlanta 1996, and as a professional, he achieved 64 victories in 69 heavyweight bouts. A former two-time world champion, he held the IBF, WBA, WBO, and IBO belts for a record 4382 days. During this period, he defeated 23 opponents, an unmatched achievement in the heavyweight division. He is also a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Speaking with hosts Ivaylo Banchev and Daniel Lyubomirov on Sportal.bg's "Guest" segment, Wladimir Klitschko discussed various topics, including the most pressing issues in boxing. Krasimir Ininski also joined the broadcast in our studio.

"The hospitality I feel from Mr. Ininski and the federation, I believe, will also be extended to the athletes at the European Championship," shared the legendary Ukrainian.

On the fight with Kubrat Pulev

"I never thought that in my hometown of Hamburg, instead of my fans, there would be so many Bulgarian flags and fans. I was booed; I thought I was in Sofia, not Hamburg.

Kubrat Pulev is a fantastic, technical boxer, very determined. He hit me hard in the first round. Although it was a relatively short fight, I can only express respect for Kubrat Pulev. He definitely wanted to win and seemed unbeatable."

On Shannon Briggs

"Shannon Briggs chased me everywhere, telling me that wherever I went, he would be there too."

On Oleksandr Usyk and his decision to vacate his championship belts

"Oleksandr was initially promoted by my company, K2. What Oleksandr has achieved is incredible – unifying all the belts is astonishing and historic.

This is his decision. He is the champion, and the decision is his. He can decide whatever he wants in this case. He vacates them undefeated. In my opinion, he might want to solidify his historical achievements and remain undefeated."

On comparisons between different generations in boxing

"You cannot compare eras. We cannot put Oleksandr Usyk and Muhammad Ali in the same ring. Muhammad Ali remains the greatest. Everyone is great in their own time. Everything else is evolution. We observe it in boxing, in life, in economics... I don't like and don't recommend comparing different generations."

On Andriy Shevchenko

"We are friends and keep in touch; he's an absolute idol in football. If you think about it, FIFA is the world federation, UEFA is the European one, which is very strong. It's the same in boxing. There's a lot in common between football and boxing. The European Boxing Federation is definitely one of the strongest. I'm eagerly awaiting the European Championship in Sofia in September to see the new stars."

On the FIFA World Cup

"I was rooting for Germany because my Ukraine wasn't participating. Germany is my second home. After their elimination, I don't know who I'll support."