Fury risks all for a Joshua title shot
Hughie Fury will need a careerbest performance against Kubrat Pulev in Bulgaria tonight, in a heavyweight contest carrying great risk and even greater reward.
The victor will become the International Boxing Federation mandatory challenger to world champion Anthony Joshua, holder of the IBF, World Boxing Organisation and World Boxing Association belts.
This is a gamble for Pulev in his home city of Sofia, where he is feted as a sporting hero. Meanwhile Fury’s trainer and father, Peter, believes his charge is “mentally and physically” prepared for a battle against the 37-year-old.
The Bulgarian has been beaten only once in a 26-fight career, when stopped in five rounds by Wladimir Klitschko four years ago. He was scheduled to fight Joshua a year ago but pulled out due to injury. Pulev may not have one-punch knockout power, but he has a high work-rate, good jab, smart movement, and is adept at forcing rivals into exchanges, having defeated quality opponents in Samuel Peter, Dereck Chisora, Tony Thompson, Michael Sprott, Alexander Ustinov and Alexander Dimitrenko.
For Peter Fury, this is the opportunity to mastermind a boxing heist abroad, as he did with his nephew, Tyson Fury, in Dusseldorf three years ago against Klitschko to wrest three of the world title belts from the Ukrainian.
Hughie Fury lost on points to New Zealander Joseph Parker in a challenge for the WBO heavyweight title a year ago. The 24-yearold will need to be far more active against Pulev.
“I’ve had disappointments in the past but they helped make me the person I am today,” he said. “I’m focused on one thing and that’s becoming a world champion.
“Pulev might see fighting at home as an advantage, but the pressure is on him. He’s a tough opponent but this is the best I have ever felt. Believe me when I say it’s going to be one hell of a fight.
“I am not looking past Pulev, but whenever that Joshua fight is available, I’d take it with both hands. It’s a case of beating Pulev, and then we’ll talk business after that.”