With a number of his heavyweight contemporaries refusing to take on Kubrat Pulev in his hometown of Sofia, Hughie Fury has been applauded by many for agreeing to take on the Bulgarian native in his own backyard.
The move prompted Pulev to praise Fury’s braveness and heart in one recent interview, commending the Brit for “coming to Bulgaria when many others ran away”.
Appropriate therefore that 24-year-old Hughie will walk down to the ring to the title music from the 1995 epic Braveheart.
The Mel Gibson directed movie proved a knockout success at the box office and landed five Oscars at the following year’s Academy Awards.
Fury will be hoping to get the job done in Sofia on Saturday night when he takes on Pulev. The winner is set to become the mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua’s IBF belt.
Hughie Fury said: “At the end of the day a fight is a fight. I have always said that I will fight anyone, anywhere so to me it doesn’t make a difference. He might see it as an advantage, but the pressure is on him. I have no problem facing him on his home turf.
“The closer we get to the fight, the more I’m looking forward to walking out to the Braveheart music and hearing the roar from the crowd. Pulev is a tough opponent but this is the best I have ever felt going into a fight both physically and mentally and I’m ready to go there and get the win.
BULGARIA
“I thank the people of Bulgaria for welcoming me. I’ve had a great reception – it’s a pleasure to be here again. It’s a country that I’ve been coming to since I was a teenager and I hope to come again soon.
“I can’t wait for the fight on Saturday. Camp’s been tough but all the hard work’s done now, now’s the easy bit. – the fight. It’s not long now, it’s only three days away. I’ve come over here to win. I’m prepared for whatever he [Pulev] throws at me, and if I have to go the distance to do that so be it. Believe me when I say it’s going to be one hell of a fight.
“I watched him [Pulev] in action at yesterday’s open workout and I don’t see anything to be worried about. I’ve done my preparation and I’ve got Plans A through to Z ready for whatever he comes at me with.”
