Unbeaten heavyweight Kubrat Pulev looks likely to return on August 24, facing former WBA world titlist Ruslan Chagaev in Germany. This, along with the loud Haye-Fury talk, seems to sink the idea of an IBF world title eliminator between Pulev and Tyson Fury, which means that the IBF's recent series of semi-final eliminators (Pulev-Ustinov, Adamek-Cunningham II, and then when Adamek withdrew, Fury-Cunningham) doesn't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.
Pulev (17-0, 9 KO) is already considered a top heavyweight contender, as the 32-year-old Bulgarian has won the European heavyweight title and beaten opposition as good as just about anybody else has, plus he has the amateur credentials few others do.
Chagaev (31-2-1, 20 KO) really hasn't looked good at all in years now, though he has won four straight against marginal opposition. The 34-year-old Chagaev, once called "White Tyson" for no particularly good reason, is a fringe contender these days, having failed conclusively in his last two major chances against Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin.