Kubrat Pulev vs Hughie Fury likely headed to purse bid

Promoters for Kubrat Pulev and Hughie Fury have notified the IBF that they’ve been thus far unable to reach a deal for a heavyweight eliminator, and the sanctioning body has ordered a purse bid for August 9.

As always, the two sides do have until 15 minutes before the bid is set to make a deal, but most times when this happens, it’s going to purse bid.

This would be the third purse bid for a Pulev eliminator set this year, following fights that didn’t happen between the Bulgarian contender and ordered opponents Dillian Whyte and Jarrell Miller. Both Whyte and Miller passed after bids were won by outside promoter Epic Sports & Entertainment, who wanted to stage the event in Bulgaria.

Pulev (25-1, 13 KO) is still officially represented by Sauerland Event, but the two sides are known to be on the outs at this point. Fury (21-1, 11 KO) is promoted by Mick Hennessy.

The 37-year-old Pulev hasn’t fought since beating journeyman Kevin Johnson in April 2017. Fury, 23, last fought on May 12, stopping Sam Sexton in the fifth round to win the British heavyweight title.