Hughie Fury insists he is the best heavyweight in British boxing – including four-world title belt holder Anthony Joshua – and is ready to prove it by beating Kubrat Pulev in his native Bulgaria this Saturday.
The 24-year-old Fury – younger cousin to former unified WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion Tyson – takes on Pulev at the Arena Armeec in the 37-year-old’s home city of Sofia.
Fury boasts an impressive 21-win record in his 22 fights since turning professional following his gold medal at the Youth World Amateur Championships in 2012.
His only defeat came against New Zealander Joseph Parker in September 2017, a controversial majority decision in a bout for Parker’s WBO heavyweight strap.
Parker subsequently lost that belt to current heavyweight titan Joshua in his following fight in March this year.
Joshua is king of the heavyweight division – which also includes fellow Britons Dillian Whyte, Dereck Chisora and the Fury cousins – yet the younger Fury says he belongs right at the very top of it.
Anthony Joshua has dominated the heavyweight division, but Hughie Fury insists he belongs in the same bracket.
“You’ll see in this fight. I believe I’m the best and believe I’m right at the top,” Fury told Sport360 when asked to pick what position in the rankings he believes he occupies.
“I’m gonna prove this, it’s not about talking, it’s about October 27th and I’ll do my talking then, it’s the fight I want.”
The winner between Fury and Pulev will land themselves the number one spot in the IBF heavyweight standings and become the mandatory challenger to reigning champion Joshua.
Veteran Pulev is the current number two in those rankings, with Fury fourth – behind Russian Alexander Povetkin who was beaten comfortably by Joshua for the 29-year-old’s 22nd consecutive professional win last month.
“A title fight is only one fight away. Win this and them I’m in a mandatory position for a belt,” added a confident Fury, who initially fell short of offering his result before confidently predicting victory.
“You’ll see on the 27th. No predictions from me but believe me, I’m gonna be victorious on the night and it’s going to be an exciting night.”
📅 27th October
— Hughie Lewis Fury (@hughiefury) 21 October 2018
📺 @channel5_tv https://t.co/Ho4eoJEsyv
The 6ft 6in, 105kg Stockport-born behemoth – nicknamed the Fist of Fury – followed up his Parker disappointment 13 months ago by beating Sam Sexton in his next bout in May this year to claim the British heavyweight title.
Previous holders have included Joshua and his older cousin Tyson, and the younger Fury insists he has learned a lot since that Parker defeat.
“I took the positives out of it, learnt lessons. I’m a different fighter since then, mentally,” said Fury.
“I’ve learned a lot, like how to make decisions. You’ve just got to keep pushing forward.
“Training’s been good. It’s a lot harder, more gruelling this time around. I train hard all the time but for this one there’s blood, sweat and tears going into it.”
Of his opponent on Saturday, Fury was complimentary but insisted heading into the lion’s den of Sofia will count for little for Pulev.
The Bulgarian holds a record of 25-1, with 13 wins coming via knockout. Pulev’s only loss came against Wladimir Klitschko in an IBF and lineal heavyweight title duel in 2014.
“I believe he can fight, but it doesn’t matter where in the world you’re at, it’s just another place and another ring. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is,” added Fury.
Tyson Fury shocked the world when he stopped Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 – but he has since vacated his titles.
Older cousin Tyson has his own showdown looming, a blockbuster clash with WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder in Los Angeles on December 1.
The Bronze Bomber is defending a mighty 40-0 record while 30-year-old Tyson is battling back to prominence after being forced to vacate the WBA, WBO, IBO, and lineal titles following medical and mental health issues, and two cancellations of his rematch with Klitschko.
The younger Fury revealed he would not be in the elder’s corner for the Wilder fight though. The cousins are now estranged and have not talked since Hughie’s dad Peter stopped training former world heavyweight champion Tyson.
“Listen, I wish him all the best and I hope he comes through his fight,” said Fury junior.
“He’s been in the sport a long time and so have I. I just wish him all the best.”
Apart from the upcoming bouts for the Fury boys, another question on British boxing fans’ lips is who will Amir Khan’s next opponent be.
‘King Khan’ knocked out Phil Lo Greco in 39 seconds and outpointed Samuel Vargas last month following his return to action after a savage knockout at the hands of Canelo Alvarez in May 2016.
The 31-year-old has demanded a bout with WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, despite clamour from the British public for a showdown with Kell Brook.
Manny Pacquiao is the best fight for Amir Khan, according to Hughie Fury.
But Fury admits taking on the Filipino legend is the better bout for the Bolton man.
“I think Pacquiao is a good fight for him (Khan), that would be the wiser one, for now,” said Fury.
“I don’t think Brook is going anywhere so the Pacquiao fight makes more sense. If he can get it, get that fight because it’s the bigger fight.”
Fury also touched on lighter topics, including naming Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Larry Holmes among his best-ever pound for pound fighters.
“I love their style and their uniqueness,” said Fury.
Pushed to name his top three, he replied: “Top three: Ali, Leonard and Holmes.”
But he stopped short of naming his top three current fighters.
“The best three at the moment are Canelo (Alvarez) and GGG (Gennady Golovkin). To be honest you’ve put me on the spot here. I can’t think of a third. Just those two.”
