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Hughie Fury vs Kubrat Pulev Preview and Prediction

It seems to have been some time ago now since the Fury cousins set their sights on ruling the Heavyweight landscape in the same vein as the Klitschko brother were doing at that time.

Fast forward and the elder cousin Tyson has already had his hands on three of the four major belts, while Hughie came ever-so-close to bringing one piece of silverware back to the Fury household.

Now having lost to the former WBO Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (L MD 12), Hughie looks to place himself in position to meet unbeaten Anthony Joshua as he meets IBF #2 Kubrat Pulev in Bulgaria.

Feasibly, by the end of 2019, all four titles could indeed belong with the Fury’s, but the size of the tasks at hand are far mightier than that.

Tyson must overcome the odds by beating the brash American knockout artist Deontay Wilder, while Hughie must first navigate his way to becoming the first man since Wladimir Klitschko to beat Pulev in his backyard.

Pulev 25-1(13KO’s) was fiercely outclassed that night when he met a Klitschko (L TKO 5) in scorching form. But aside from that reverse, Pulev has had a successful career, but one that lacks a significant win over an opponent in his prime.

In steps Hughie Fury, a 24-year old who believes his time has arrived. He mixed it with Parker in an uninspiring world title contest, but the experience gained just over 13 months ago will be invaluable when he faces the challenge of winning on the road against a top 10 fighter.

Fury 21-1(11KO’s) did what he needed to in stopping Sam Sexton (W TKO 5), but nevertheless it was an impressive display of footwork and punch selection, opting to let his right hand go more than in previous fights where he has relied far too heavily on a fleeting jab.

That jab will be a nuisance for Pulev to overcome, but in Bulgaria it will not be enough to convince the ringside judges that his higher punch output gives him rounds against the more aggressive home favourite.

The jab will need to be used to bridge lapses of inactivity from Pulev, while also setting up the right to the body that should slow Pulev down in the later rounds.

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It will be in those later rounds that Hughie must display his full repertoire to come away with the victory. He can nick his fair share of the first 8 rounds, but will be in need of a strong finish to come away with victory. If Fury opts to stick with the jab and move he will once again be left fuming with a close points loss, but should he take advantage of his faster hands and let his shots go in combinations, he will have done enough to edge it on the road.


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Peter Wells

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