12 Jun 2019
This Saturday marks a make or break fight for both Kubrat Pulev and Hughie Fury as both men look to set themselves up for a mandatory clash with Anthony Joshua in this IBF title heavyweight eliminator.
Hosted in Pulev&rsquos home city, Sofia, at the Arena Armeec, Hughie, the cousin of Tyson Fury, will expect nothing less than a frosty reception in Bulgaria as the duo prepare to lock horns in a fight that is being billed as a battle of the ages.
Some might argue that Pulev is past his prime at 37, while Hughie is perhaps just getting started at the age of 24. That being said, the two share some similarities in terms of the records they have earnt themselves so far as professional boxers. Here we break down all you need to know as both men will no doubt have their eyes on the prize – a fight against AJ.
The Formbook
For Pulev, it&rsquos fair to say the former world title challenger has had a frustrating last year, having had to pull out of a world title clash with Anthony Joshua last October through injury. The Bulgarian hasn&rsquot fought since April 2017 when he inflicted a points defeat on Kevin Johnson.
As an individual that has twice been crowned European Champion and has not lost since his solitary career defeat at the hands of Klitschko back in 2014 though, some have suggested that Pulev has done little to rebuild his career since then.
A perfect record of five wins from five would suggest otherwise, but his last two opponents in Samuel Peter and Kevin Johnson are perhaps past their prime aged 38 and 39 respectively.
For Fury, although he recorded his first career loss against Joseph Parker in September of 2017, many were impressed by the ability he showed at the age of just 23 years and five days. Parker only won the fight on a majority decision with one judge scoring it as a draw. Having returned to winning ways with an emphatic win against Sam Sexton, few would doubt Fury&rsquos confidence in facing Pulev in his own backyard.
Experience vs Youth
Pulev will fancy himself and looks slight favourite to win at betting odds of 4/5 by virtue of being so experienced in the heavyweight division in front of a home crowd.
Fury, however, will be keen to silence those that say he&rsquos too young to be vying for the heights of the heavyweight class and he&rsquos undoubtedly fresher than Pulev. As a big guy, at 6’6” he&rsquos more fluid in his movement than his cousin Tyson and if he can use that to his advantage to get his jab going at range then we fancy him to cause an upset. He certainly has the pedigree to do so having grown up with boxing engrained in the family.
Points to prove?
Both men stack up identically in terms of the method by which they have achieved success in the past, exactly 50% of their respective career wins on points - making it a tough one to call. Pulev&rsquos failure to win by knockout in over three years only further gives us reason to believe the fight will go the distance.
Both have been guilty of taking their foot of the gas at times in the past too, but we think it is Fury that has more room for improvement that could give him the edge. Get him to win on points here at boxing odds of 2/1.
Having lost to Parker on points last time around though, and with doubts circling about his power as a puncher on the elite stage, we think he&rsquos worth a punt to prove a point and win by knockout at odds of 5/1.
Watch live boxing action in your local Genting Casino. Find your nearest casino here.
