Proposed Thompson-Pulev Bout Awaits IBF Approval!

There is a proposed heavyweight bout on the books between DC's Tony "The Tiger" Thompson and Kubrat "The Cobra" Pulev of Bulgaria.

While there is no official word that Thompson has signed for the contest (although Thompson has always been interested in the bout)  Pulev's promoters, Sauerland Event Promotions, tells Fightnews.com that the bout is a go -- except for one pretty big hurdle.

"The only matter left open is the approval of the IBF to sanction the bout as a final eliminator," says Sauerland Event General Manager Chris Meyer. "Such sanction is the condition for both fighters to face each other."

Pulev, the IBF International champion (17-0, nine KO's) is ranked number one at heavyweight while Thompson (38-3, 26 KO's) is rated fourth by the IBF.  The number two slot is vacant and the number three contender, Bryant Jennings, reportedly refused a bout with Pulev, who hasn't fought since winning the IBF International title with a 11th-round knockout of Alexander Ustinov in September of 2012.

“Pulev was treated badly by the IBF throughout these months. And now when there is a legitimate opponent in Thompson, the IBF doesn’t pick up the matter and leaves our request unanswered," Meyer tells Fightnews. "They don’t even reply to letters of Pulev’s manager Wilfried Sauerland. I mean the bout is scheduled to be in one month. How can the fighters honestly prepare for such bout and we promote the event and generate the sufficient funds to pay for it? In any case, we’re ready to go. We’re waiting for the IBF to perform!”