Hughie Fury will travel to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia to take on home fighter Kubrat Pulev on October 27 in an eliminator for the IBF world heavyweight title.
Fury (21-1-KO11) was controversially denied the WBO crown by Joseph Parker a year ago but having returned with a sensational knockout win to claim the British title, earns the chance to seal a shot at IBF world champion Anthony Joshua.
Hughie Fury’s father and trainer Peter Fury said: “Hughie has to train very hard to get a decision over there. He’s got to win it and win it clearly.
“Hughie has got to show the world that he’s the better fighter because if it comes to a close decision, we feel Pulev will get the nod.
“Hughie’s got to be more determined and we learned from the Parker fight that you can’t just outbox your opponent. You’ve got to clearly take it off him. He’s got more spite in his shots and is more aggressive now. He’s different today to the Hughie that fought Parker.
“We have a highly world-ranked fighter in Pulev and we’re going over there. I believe if you can fight, you can fight and if you’re a world-class heavyweight then location shouldn’t matter.
“You’ve got to take chances to get to the top and this will put him back in the world mix. Winning over there will be a great achievement and will show his quality and where he’s at on the world stage.”
Hughie added: “I’m going to put on a good fight for all the fans around the world. Don’t miss it.”
Like Hughie, Pulev has lost only once in his career; suffering a stoppage defeat to Wladimir Klitschko with the IBF world title on the line in 2014.
World-class Heavyweights Vying For The Right To Face Anthony Joshua – Alexander Povetkin Winner For World Championship
On Saturday, October 27, “Fire & Fury” will collide, as IBF #2-rated heavyweight contender Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev will face Britain’s IBF #5-rated Hughie Fury in a 12-round elimination bout at the Arena Armeec in Pulev’s hometown of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) and Fury (21-1, 11 KOs) will be competing for the right to face the winner of the September 22 showdown between champion Anthony Joshua and challenger Alexander Povetkin.
The event, entitled “Fire & Fury” will be presented by Ivaylo Gotzev and John Wirt’s Epic Sports and Entertainment, together with Fury’s promoter, Hennessey Sports, and will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 5.
One of the most popular athletes in all of Bulgaria, 37-year-old Pulev is on a five-fight winning streak, including a TKO 3 over former heavyweight champion Samuel Peter. Among his many distinctions, Pulev is a former two-time European and IBF International Heavyweight Champion. He stands 6’ 4 ½” and weighs in around 240 lbs. Pulev’s only career loss came in a challenge for the undisputed heavyweight championship against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. Fury is the fourth opponent scheduled to face Pulev, as Britain’s Dillian Whyte and Americans Jarell Miller and Dominic Breazeale all declined the fight.
Pulev, who will be having his first bout since partnering with Epic Sports and Entertainment, says Fury better not be looking past him while preparing for this fight.
Kubrat Pulev Promising ‘Fire & Fury’ In Ibf Eliminator Against Hughie Fury
“The fact that Hughie Fury is coming to Bulgaria when many others ran away speaks volumes,” said Pulev. “I understand that he is very motivated because this is an eliminator fight for a chance at the world title. I suggest he stops thinking about the world title for a moment and come prepared for a real battle. I am already in beast mode and I’m hungry for my return in the ring!”
Fury hails from Manchester and is the current BBBofC British Heavyweight Champion and is trained by his father, Peter Fury. The 23-year-old stands 6’ 6” tall and also weighs in around 240 lbs. In September of 2017, Fury suffered his only career loss, a controversial majority decision to Joseph Parker for Parker’s WBO Heavyweight Championship.
“It’s taken a lot of time to make this fight happen and I want to thank all of those involved,” said Hughie Fury. “I want to fight for world titles and to do that I need to beat the guys at the top of the division. Kubrat Pulev is a serious fight for the mandatory position and I know I’ve got to be the real deal to beat him. I believe I’m going to do that in his back yard where others trembled at the thought of it.”
“We want to be involved in these big fight nights and to go up against the big names that lead the division,” added father and trainer Peter Fury. “To become a world heavyweight champion, you’ve got to overcome every challenge that’s put in front of you. And for Hughie that starts in Bulgaria in October.”
“In this day and age, when some promoters and their fighters opt for the safest bets, Hughie Fury has done the opposite,” said Ivaylo Gotzev of Fury, who has faced his own share of delays and disappointments on his way to this eliminator bout. “Fury has decided to step into the Lion’s Den, and fight Kubrat in his home town of Sofia. This matchup is intriguing, as two of the best in the division step up and face one another. We expect a great heavyweight battle – one that will decide one man’s destiny to fight for the most coveted title in the world – the Heavyweight Championship. To all of Team Fury – you are welcome in Bulgaria!”
Hennessy Sports CEO Mick Hennessy, promoter of Fury, said: “First and foremost I’d like to heap praise on my young fighter Hughie Fury. There’s no pantomime and no theatrics. He’s just a young man, full of respect for everyone he faces, and who believes in giving the fans proper fights and value for money. At just 23 years of age Hughie is a massive talent. He’s not perhaps got the plaudits he deserves, so this is his moment to make the boxing world really sit up and take notice of what he’s capable of.”
“I’d also like to thank my counterparts at Epic Sports & Entertainment for making this fight happen. It’s taken a lot to get to this point, but we were determined to give the fans a fight that they deserve. Both teams are excited about this one.”
The stacked International undercard, along with ticket details, will be revealed shortly.
