Kubrat Pulev in line for Anthony Joshua fight after beating Hughie Fury

All three judges scored the fight in favour of 37-year-old Pulev, who now becomes the mandatory IBF challenger to Anthony Joshua.

Fury, the 24-year-old cousin of Tyson Fury, came into the fight with a 21-1 record – his only loss coming against Joseph Parker in Manchester last September.

Fury sustained a bad cut above his left eye in only the second round and, although he rocked Pulev with a big right hand in the eighth, the Bulgarian came out well on top, with one judge scoring the fight 118-110.

Anthony Joshua is currently eyeing up both Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder having successfully defended his heavyweight titles against Alexander Povetkin in September.

Hughie’s cousin, Tyson Fury, tweeted a message after the bout.

He wrote: “@hughiefury well done in the Pulev fight. You can only do your best & @24 years old fighting the top level fighters in the world it’s amazing achievements.

“You will comeback stronger & more experience! Chin up cuz proud of you!”

Hughie’s cousin, Tyson Fury, tweeted a message after the bout.

He wrote: “@hughiefury well done in the Pulev fight. You can only do your best & @24 years old fighting the top level fighters in the world it’s amazing achievements.

“You will comeback stronger & more experience! Chin up cuz proud of you!”